Put your draft hat on

[Gone Critical]

I don't have a link to any articles so feel free not to believe me.

But i'm pretty sure at the time it was rumoured that we rated Pendlebury higher than Thomas. Hine knew that Hawthorn would have picked Thomas up at pick 3 if we hadn't selected him at 2. Pendlebury was rated outside the top 10 by most people and Hine gambled he would fall to our pick 5.

In regards to Beams and Sidebottom I recall at the time Hine mentioning/ or it being heavily reported that we considered selecting Beams at pick 11. It was never mentioned whether we rated Sidebottom higher or not however. But there was never a chance Sidebottom would have lasted until pick 30 and every chance Beams would.

But the point I was trying to make is that I don't think it is as simple as making a list of 1 through to wherever and neatly selecting the next in line. If we think we can get two players from our wish list by taking a measured risk I believe we would. That was the point I was trying to make.

Often how things turn out influence the way people interpret draft picks and I think that may have happened here.

The real choice Collingwood faced at pick 2 was between Thomas and Ellis. Pre draft speculation had Ellis as the more likely and he did sound v good. However Collingwood had big wraps on Thomas and opted for him.

There was some speculation Collingwood might take Ellis at 2 (who would definitely gone to the Hawks at 3 if not picked) in the hope Thomas would fall through to 5. In that senario Hawks might have gone for Josh Kennedy and Carlton maybe Ryder as they had already picked Murphy at 1. I am pretty sure Hine put the knock on this after the draft saying after Thomas's TAC cup finals performances we were always going with him assuming Murphy went no 1

Pendles was rated a pick in the teens leading into the draft. e.g 13 in Burgans phantom draft, but there was late speculation Collingwood was going to pull a surprise with him at 5. Turned out to be true.

So the potential holding off one player in the hope of securing another as well related to Ellis/Thomas. Pendles was never gong in the top few picks. Hines greatness was elevating him much higher than most others had him and picking him at 5.

The other classic reinterpretation in my mind is Tambling and Buddy. Richmond have been castigated by many for not picking Buddy because of the player Buddy became. Truth is no one was touting Buddy to be a no pick 1 or 2 whereas Tambling was . The surprise of that part of the draft (albeit not a major one) was that Tambling slid to no 4 not that Buddy was picked at 5

The players they turned out to be has lead to a major reinterpretation of that decision

 

[Knightmare]

Thoughts I'd chuck these picks in here also from the bigfooty phantom draft:

#65 Collingwood - Tom Downie (VIC - Ruckman)
Profile: Downie is a 205cm ruckman from a basketball background. Very new to football and has played limited games. But have been very excited with what I have seen in the limited games he has played. Tap work is excellent and has that awareness of who is below him. Has a nice leap. Strong mark overhead and can take grabs around the ground.
Reminds me allot of a young Todd Goldstein.
Is very much a work in progress and will take time as is the case with all young ruckmen. But too much talent to let pass me by. My expectation is that Downie will feature somewhere in the 2nd round.

Why: Like the depth of the rucks this year and the value here is simply too good to pass up! With the addition of Downie we will have more ruckmen than we can field, but I like the fit long term - I don't see Wood being around much longer because he simply hasn't developed, McNamara will probably be delisted at the end of next season also and Jolly surely doesn't have many more seasons left in him. So while we have a surplus of ruckmen it just means we can do as Geelong have done over recent seasons and build some positional flexibility into these talls - which I don't necessarily view as a totally bad thing - so the likes of Witts and Ceglar can continue to play forward, Keeffe can continue to play down back, McNamara on the wing/forward and so on.

Other considerations: Haiden Schloithe (best small forward this year and in my mind represents big value here for a club looking for a player of his type), Lee Spurr (in my mind one of the best mature agers this year, offers positional flexibility), Cameron Valentine (one of the better marking 3rd tall forward options), Sam Dwyer (another mature agers I like, delivery to forwards through the midfield is first class), Brody Mihocek (liked what I saw during the u18 champs and offers some flexibility), Jack Charleston (high production midfielder who offers some flexibility), Mark Baguley (VFL defender who I think would be a solid fit).


#67 Collingwood - Jarrod Witts (NSW/ACT - Ruckman)
Profile: Monster ruckman measuring up at 209cm, 115kg. Collingwood did well to scout Witts at a young age and get him into the program. Is new enough to footy and comes from a rugby background. Has had injuries over the past few seasons but this year has been fine and has developed beyond belief. Showed some great signs throughout the u18 champs, but then really reached a new level when playing for the Collingwood VFL side.

Long term will develop into a ruckman but for the time being expect Witts to be used at full forward. At full forward Jarrod crashes packs, takes strong contested grabs (one grab and at it's highest point - which is a big win at his size) and even tackles strongly which for someone of his size is impressive.

In the ruck Jarrod doesn't have a huge leap, but can certainly hold his own and is already strong enough to compete and beat other more mature ruckmen.

Allot of non Collingwood supporters who have seen less of Witts will disagree with this, but because of his size, the attributes he posesses and the way he plays I consider him to have the greatest potential of the ruckmen in this years draft class. Would be very happy to take him in the 1st round, so being able to snag Witts through the NSW/ACT program with a late selection is a massive win!



Side note: Had this selection been a live selection would have selected Haiden Schloithe.

 

[Knightmare]

Just an additional note on my logic behind the Downie selection.

The best rucks don't have to come from early selections. Often rookie selections (Sandilands, Cox, Jolly, Mumford) or even mid draft selections (Goldstein) can work out as well as early selections and I have Downie in this basket.

Downie in my view should have been picked up in the 30s, so at 65, need or not, I went with value and someone who down the road has a chance at breaking into our best 22 rather than just going with a KPF/versatile mid/small defender as the club might be more likely to do on draft day.

Schloithe as a small forward I rated equally high and was just as keen to select him, but again we have added so many players at that position over the past 2 years I can't see us going in that direction either - regardless of quality. But again because he is that much more talented than the others available I would have still been very pleased to have taken him.
Would have been happy with either but went with the ruckman because it's probably the more important position and what wins/loses you the big finals at the end of the day.

 

[TradeDraft]

Just an additional note on my logic behind the Downie selection.

The best rucks don't have to come from early selections. Often rookie selections (Sandilands, Cox, Jolly, Mumford) or even mid draft selections (Goldstein) can work out as well as early selections and I have Downie in this basket.

Downie in my view should have been picked up in the 30s, so at 65, need or not, I went with value and someone who down the road has a chance at breaking into our best 22 rather than just going with a KPF/versatile mid/small defender as the club might be more likely to do on draft day.

Schloithe as a small forward I rated equally high and was just as keen to select him, but again we have added so many players at that position over the past 2 years I can't see us going in that direction either - regardless of quality. But again because he is that much more talented than the others available I would have still been very pleased to have taken him.
Would have been happy with either but went with the ruckman because it's probably the more important position and what wins/loses you the big finals at the end of the day.

Downie could go anywhere from 20 Onwards Actually I would love see a Video Highlights as I never seen him play.

What KPP would you be thinking about

 

[Knightmare]

Downie could go anywhere from 20 Onwards Actually I would love see a Video Highlights as I never seen him play.

What KPP would you be thinking about

Not allot of KPPs after pick 40 are likely to be anything fantastic.

Could have gone with Nic Murphy at 50 as a KPF, was the only reasonable option left.

But personally would rather wait till the rookie draft and get a depth type KPF there as our insurance - which really is all we need at this time.

Fairly happy to wait another year for James Stewart and just go with a rookie for a year or two as depth. It's only really those high end KPFs that develop into anything significant generally.

 

[TradeDraft]

Not allot of KPPs after pick 40 are likely to be anything fantastic.

Could have gone with Nic Murphy at 50 as a KPF, was the only reasonable option left.

But personally would rather wait till the rookie draft and get a depth type KPF there as our insurance - which really is all we need at this time.

Fairly happy to wait another year for James Stewart and just go with a rookie for a year or two as depth. It's only really those high end KPFs that develop into anything significant generally.

What KPF would you take as a Rookie? Orval?

 

[Knightmare]

What KPF would you take as a Rookie? Orval?

The ones I'd consider include: Ben Brown, Brett Eddy, Sam Gordon, Jimmi Savage, Dean Galea, Jai Sheehan.
Could be other sliders.

Dylan Orval is certainly another who could slide to the rookie draft then Jordan Staley and Jackson Coleman could also be considered in the rookie draft.

So there are options.

 

[TradeDraft]

The ones I'd consider include: Ben Brown, Brett Eddy, Sam Gordon, Jimmi Savage, Dean Galea, Jai Sheehan.
Could be other sliders.

Dylan Orval is certainly another who could slide to the rookie draft then Jordan Staley and Jackson Coleman could also be considered in the rookie draft.

So there are options.

I think Ben Brown and Sam Gordon could go in the National Draft.

I like Eddy,Staley,Coleman and Savage as Rookie Picks

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Is Orval any relation to former Collingwood player Mark Orval , who was a sensational talent at the Pies in the late 80's but was sadly cruelled by a foot injury?

 

[TradeDraft]

Is Orval any relation to former Collingwood player Mark Orval , who was a sensational talent at the Pies in the late 80's but was sadly cruelled by a foot injury?

It's his Son

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

It's his Son

Only 93 games short of picking up via father son rule

I'd be very keen to pick this kid up, its the nearest thing to a son of a premiership player we can get. His old man was a super talent and easily would have been in the 1990 premiership team.

 

[soreplums]

Yarran was never going get to oick 11

No one thought that Rich was going to get to pick 7.

Knights has made it clear that he wanted Sidebottom at 5 which would have opened the door for Hurley to go to Carlton at 6, Rich at 7, Vickery 8, Ziebell 9, Davis 10, Yarran 11.

Jackson Trengove was also expected to go higher, but he was injured for a while (hammy I think) which saw him slide to 22. There was a lot of speculation that both Carlton and Essendon were also keen on Trengove.

 

[soreplums]

Just went through the 2008 Phantom draft- Burgan had us considering Horsley with pick 73 along with a host of other players. We picked up Leigh Brown.

Was Horsley one of the players that was thought to be the GWS player linked with us as part of the Marty Clarke/GWS pre-selection? He looks very handy and think he would have plenty to offer at pick 50.

 

[Snoop Dog]

Horsley has had a seriously good year. Saw a number of his games this year and was pushed into the midfield more than previous years (played back). I think he is 23/ 24 and was easily Subiaco's best player this year. Plays in and out and has elite foot skills. Wouldnt say he is overly quick but got enough pace for AFL level for sure. I know Knighta rates him as well but I aint sure whether its the type we want. I would think our midfield is strong enough and has enough good juniors coming up. My hope is we rebuild the spine but the history of getting seriously good tall fwds from deep in the draft isnt flash I dont think. Still if we got him I wouldnt be upset at all.

 

[Blessed]

Surely we need depth in the midfield. Especially players who can push forward. It would have been great to have such a player when Beamsy went down this year.

 

[TradeDraft]

Horsley has had a seriously good year. Saw a number of his games this year and was pushed into the midfield more than previous years (played back). I think he is 23/ 24 and was easily Subiaco's best player this year. Plays in and out and has elite foot skills. Wouldnt say he is overly quick but got enough pace for AFL level for sure. I know Knighta rates him as well but I aint sure whether its the type we want. I would think our midfield is strong enough and has enough good juniors coming up. My hope is we rebuild the spine but the history of getting seriously good tall fwds from deep in the draft isnt flash I dont think. Still if we got him I wouldnt be upset at all.

I agree with you Snoop - Sounds like he had a Great Season and would help a AFL Side.

While we been linked to him I just can't see a spot for him on the list as we have some good Potential Kids in the VFL.

I would hope IF we did pick him in the National Draft it be with our 2nd and Last Live Pick and not our 1st at 50

 

[Ed D]

Any love for Tuck? Numbers were good.

http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pc-hawthorn-hawks--travis-tuck

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...-son-travis-tuck/story-e6frf9jf-1226188185150

None from me. He rarely put in the hard yards. Often seen standing around packs and not going in for the ball, I don't think he'd suit our side. And it's not like Hawthorn were punishing him all those years by not playing him, he wasn't up to AFL standard. He had 4 years on their list before he was dumped and put on their rookie list for a season and in that time he only managed 20 games.

 

[Knightmare]

Horsley has had a seriously good year. Saw a number of his games this year and was pushed into the midfield more than previous years (played back). I think he is 23/ 24 and was easily Subiaco's best player this year. Plays in and out and has elite foot skills. Wouldnt say he is overly quick but got enough pace for AFL level for sure. I know Knighta rates him as well but I aint sure whether its the type we want. I would think our midfield is strong enough and has enough good juniors coming up. My hope is we rebuild the spine but the history of getting seriously good tall fwds from deep in the draft isnt flash I dont think. Still if we got him I wouldnt be upset at all.

What really attracts me to his game. Firstly REALLY liked what he produced in the finals, put up some matchwinning performances, gives me great confidence that he can do it at the next level. Second his versatility. With Davis gone and McCarthy gone, I think we could do with another immediate player with the ability to step into the side and play a range of positions to a high level - with the sub rule not confident any list will hold up super well so he could be that necessary depth option at worst.

On top of this has that strong body, wins his own footy, has a really nice left foot kick - which we need more of in my view. With that strong body type he looks slow, don't have his testing results but would suspect speed would be reasonable. Certainly has the work rate and just runs and runs.
Tackling much improved.

As mature agers who could fit our side - not round 1 but players I'd be willing to draft and could see as nice fits for us who would all get games:
Best fit from the:
SANFL: Lee Spurr (I feel like I'm the only one talking about this guy on this site. Think he is the only sure thing of the mature agers. Convinced he will play for whoever drafts him. Late bloomer with versatility, big work rate and is a very strong mark overhead.
WAFL: Kyal Horsley *Read above for my view on him. But would be my pick from the WAFL.
VFL: Sam Dwyer (Like Dwyer for his delivery of the ball to the forwards. Is close to the best i've seen - in any league. Very agile. Has versatility to go forward but is most productive through the midfield. Best player running around in the VFL in my mind)


None of these are necessarily players I'd be gunning for with pick 50, or even 65. But certainly all would be in my calculations as considerations.

 

[Rummy]

I'm actually thinking that we’ll probably go for midfielders this year with both of our two picks. We have more quality defenders than we can currently give games to, so that’s of no concern. The only other question mark is the forward line, for which we now have Macaffer back from injury, Ugle, Elliot and Yagmoor. So small-medium forwards are covered, though with tall forwards I bet the club is going to rest either Jolly and Wood in the forward line in every match, as it will likely be forced to pick both for every game. And they’re probably hoping Ceglar, Witts will be able to step into the role in case of injury.

For the midfield though, we only have Beams to come back into the grand final side (at the expense of Davis), which will leave us with Rounds, Fasolo, Sinclair and J Thomas as the only real midfielders to come in, in case of injury, which there almost certainly will be throughout large segments of the year, and that’s not including the possibility that someone like Blair, Wellingham, Sidebottom, Didak or Johnson etc forms tapers off and need to be dropped…

 

[Tarkyn_24]

Of course Caff would be hoping to fill this role, but 30 games in 5 years, he's very injury prone.

Swan played 30 games in his first 4 years on our list.

Must've been injury prone.

 

[TradeDraft]

What about a Rough like someone like Jack Crisp

From: (Murray Bushrangers, Vic)
Date of birth: 02/10/93
Height: 189cm
Weight: 81Kg

KEVIN SHEEHAN SAYS

"U18 Vic Country rep. Chase-down tackles (ave. 3.5 per game), marking, skills and kicking are features. Ave. 18.8 touches and four marks in TAC Cup. From Myrtleford FC." Exclusive to AFL BigPond Network

Bucks would love his Tackling Pressure he gives and looks a Good Size Already

Video:


[YOUTUBE]vTqeptYQ0to[/YOUTUBE]

Link:

http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=123438

 

[Knightmare]

Hearing some rumours out of Tasmania that Julian Dobosz might be a slider which might put a smile on the faces of some.

One to look out for.

Not necessarily his biggest fan - defensive side of his game really lacking. But none the less is very quick and reads it as well as anyone in the air.

Is one I'd include on my consider list.

 

[TradeDraft]

Hearing some rumours out of Tasmania that Julian Dobosz might be a slider which might put a smile on the faces of some.

One to look out for.

Not necessarily his biggest fan - defensive side of his game really lacking. But none the less is very quick and reads it as well as anyone in the air.

Is one I'd include on my consider list.

Height: 193cm
Weight: 85kg
DOB: 17/11/92
Club: North Hobart (TAS)

Kevin Sheehan says: Very smart player inside 50 averaging 3.8 goals in 4 matches in the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships. Reads the ball well in flight, positions himself cleverly in the marking contest, has sure hands and an accurate shot for goal.

Would Fill a Need and does have good upside

[YOUTUBE]3Imwc0X9zBg[/YOUTUBE]

http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=120063

 

[Scodog10]

Swan played 30 games in his first 4 years on our list.

Must've been injury prone.

Apples with oranges though! Macaffer fills a role that no other player (at this stage) on our list can, but has never really cemented a permanent spot in the best 22.

Yet Swan was trying to break into a midfield including Buckley, Woewodin, Burns, Licuria, Lockyer and O'Bree with other young smalls, brought in around the same time or earlier, already preferred to him in Johnno, Davis, Holland and Didak.

 

[Tarkyn_24]

Apples with oranges though! Macaffer fills a role that no other player (at this stage) on our list can, but has never really cemented a permanent spot in the best 22.

Yet Swan was trying to break into a midfield including Buckley, Woewodin, Burns, Licuria, Lockyer and O'Bree with other young smalls, brought in around the same time or earlier, already preferred to him in Johnno, Davis, Holland and Didak.

Swan started his career on the half back flank, with the likes of Lonie, R Shaw and Lokan holding him out. It's nice to reinvent history though.

Macaffer would have been competing against Lockyer, Medhurst, Davis, Didak and Thomas in rotation for a position as a small forward, and eventually he was able to displace Lockyer/Medhurst. Whereas Swan worked his way into the midfield via his role on the half back flank.

Apples and oranges, but to suggest Macaffer had it any easier than Swan is laughable.