Quigley's 2011 Mock (Warning: Reading Required)

[Quigley]

What happened to Matt Buntin2

A lot like him just not so much me. He will certainly go before 15 but I am happy to take others ahead of him. Guys who have seen him in the TAC a lot rave about him particularly his midfield ability. I thought he was only average at the Champs and so I have a few questions about his ability to step up. Overall I see him as a solid to good player but I am struggling to see him as an elite prospect.

 

[SydneyPhilly]

What happened to Matt Buntin2

7/10 subtle troll

 

[missionpossible]

What happened to Matt Buntin2

and that went straight over Quigleys head

 

[Chris25]

And with that goes any hope that people will still visit my little mock.

Great to see someone else rating Murray Newman and Jordan Murdoch highly. Also your placing of Sam Frost gives some justification to my pick in the BigFooty Phantom.

Also like the write up on Cabrera, I like him as a rookie prospect.

About this bit...

For Norwood he has not been given many chances and when he has he has not impressed. He has not seemed to work hard enough and has not done the team things that the coaching staff wanted of him. I think his performances reflect pretty poorly on the Norwood coaching staff as he demonstrated that he was clearly capable of playing at a high level but they were simply unable or unwilling to get that out of him. Grigg will be the one to pay the price but I would suggest other SA talent should maybe reflect on whether Norwood best served their talented junior in this instance and whether Norwood is the right place for them. The comments of their talent manager in talking down Grigg also reflect poorly on the professionalism of the organization.

I very much disagree. There is no team in the SANFL better at developing players than Norwood at the moment and there is no more professional team now that Bassett has taken charge. I think the fact that the Crows tried to get Brad Crouch to them speaks of that. But, you still have to earn your spot in their team. I think Grigg was expecting his place in the 21 would be a given. With an attitude like that, combined with a lack of defensive pressure, you're not going to last in any team.

But an amazing draft yet again.

 

[Dudley Leopard]

Fantastic read Quigley. Good to see a balanced view of pros and cons.

Just a question, where do you think Simon Tunbridge will go? The ex GWS listed player.

 

[Caiphus]

Wow, I had to skim a few because of the detail. You really paint a picture for those of us that don't get to see any footy besides at AFL level. Thanks for the effort!

 

[Quigley]

Fantastic read Quigley. Good to see a balanced view of pros and cons.

Just a question, where do you think Simon Tunbridge will go? The ex GWS listed player.

I don't know Dudley. I didn't really follow how he went with GWS this year and what the circumstances are behind his return home. Would he go to another interstate team? Was there problems behind the scenes? He certainly has the talent and someone I am sure will pick him up but I really don't have any idea where.

 

[Quigley]

and that went straight over Quigleys head

Hmpf that's what I get for trying to make it easier for you ingrates to read

 

[mattyc75]

awesome read mate,really hope the eagles do get manson,probably wont go for another HBFer tho.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Great effort Quigley, as always your mocks are fantastic to read for draft junkies like me. Just some thoughts on Geelong's picks. Haynes is great if he gets that far, really fits the Wells model of preferring to draft tall midfielders who are smart in traffic and have some positional versatility.. Bussey has really disappointed me in some of his games this year, for a guy with his talent he just doesn't use all of it often enough. Not knocking your pick but we might go a different way. Speaking of which I'd say your pick 33 and 35 funnily enough would be very much in the frame for our p32 and 34. Blee in particular appeals a lot, with Scarlett having made clear he'll retire in 12 months, Lonergan will be 28 and talls take time to develop as you point out. Gillies is pretty much all we have in reserve and based on his poor year in the VFL this year you wouldn't be that confident of him being the answer long term. And short term as well, with the age of our defensive group there may well be a need to fit in a ready made player for now or 12 months time rather than wait 4 years of development time again, lest we have to turn over the whole defensive group at once (a gradual transition would be best IMO) and Blee really fits the bill for mine on both an ability and needs basis, and I'd be surprised if he's not quite high up our short list.

I know that people often throw it out there in their phantom drafts that Geelong have no obvious list weaknesses and can afford to pick the best available fruit that falls from the tree, and that's still true to an extent but as the list ages there's some obvious list needs particularly at both ends of the spine. I know you do say you don't rate the crop of talls this year but I'd say unless we're confident of getting 3 or 4 very good ones next year then that's primarily where our focus this year will lie.

Lastly a question on your pick 42 Kyle Hartigan, every year I pump his name up and continually look silly when he's not in the frame. I know the kicking skills are a worry for some recruiters but I don't see sub standard ability there and his one on one ability and massive tank are really big strengths for modern defenders. Do you think he's a realistic chance to go this year? I thought he had a great year for Weribbee and really improved on last year, but I noted that Mangan (and Tighe also I think) got SS invites ahead of him, so maybe he's not in the frame again, but I hope he will be.

 

[stefoid]

Nice. Cheers.

I think the doggies have enough tall defenders not to have to panic about it. We have Lake, Hargrave, Williams, Markcovic and Wood to play tall down back, and even Cordy could play a few games back there next year, as he has done for Williamstown.

So I dont see us reaching for a so-so tall defender this draft - more of a best available draft for mine, with one of our first rounders in '12 having a much better chance of netting us a quality key defender.

And if we have a glaring need, it would be for quality users of the ball, and for that reason, even if we went needs this draft, it would not neccessarilly be a tall player.

So yeah, McKenzie fits the ball, but not sold on Frost as early as 39 nor Gault at all.

 

[Knightmare]

Been looking forward to this for a while now.

As always don't agree on the order and because it strays away from the mainstream I don't expect many will.

But as always the most detailed draft on this site. Absolutely sensational effort! Appreciate the origionality and the thought behind all this.

Look forward to reading this in detail over the coming nights.

 

[Blues_FC]

Have been holding my breath for this! Holy cow, I'd better put my reading glasses on!

 

[Jonts]

Greene is one of the roughies i would be happy with, also would be stoked with Sheridan at pick 45

I'm similar to your thoughts on Hill

Would be effective in a side on the up and up but can't really see him dominating games in a bottom 8 side

A ot of posters have Port going Spurr with 51, have you seen much of him or?

 

[eth-dog]

Great read mate .

A side interest of mine, who do you think are the best pure small forwards/crumbing types in the draft?

 

[bulldogsman]

That's awesome work, a great read

 

[LemmingMaster]

Good to see you're still throwing random names up higher.

 

[100action]

chief just give this man the $2k, 5 stars.

 

[Quigley]

chief just give this man the $2k, 5 stars.

Hehe I am never even close to getting the right order. The 2k will never be mine

 

[Quigley]

Great read mate .

A side interest of mine, who do you think are the best pure small forwards/crumbing types in the draft?

There are a lot of guys who I think will start their careers up forward before moving into the midfield. Guys like Devon Smith, Nelson, Sheridan, Woodward and McKenzie amongst others but I these guys are mostly going to be there to whet their appetite for AFL football and are likely career mids. They are not particularly dangerous forwards I don't think but will be solid crumbers and decent finishers. Think of Christensen of Geelong.

Then there are the tallish guys who could go either way. Haynes, Markworth and Murdoch are close to KP height and have played as leading forwards at junior level but I project as wing types down the track as well. It could be though they play their career as forwards. All three of those guys have talent and have very high ceilings but there is a fair bit of bust potential there as well.

As far as likely career small forwards who can actually kick goals:

Wingard - okay he is not a career small forward but he could be the best small forward in this draft and with his endurance needing work he is likely to play the first few seasons up there. I see Wingard as a lot like GAJ and his development could follow Gary's.

Newman - Nahas or Garlett are the comparisons regularly used. Has the tricks up forward and more toughness than you would expect. Will play some throught he midfield but his body might not allow it full time. Excellent forward prospect.

Crozier - fades in and out of games a lot but has the talent that is for sure. Needs to be taught what he should be doing and that he doesn't always have to do the spectacular. Not sure about his football IQ.

Schloithe - massive potential as a defensive forward with his speed. Could move spend time in the midfield as he gets older but I see him as a forward for a fair while. Stronger than the others but the quickest of the bunch of them. Endurance the issue which is why he will play a lot of forward early. Has more tricks than people give him credit for.

Marley Williams - tough, aggressive player who will work hard. Probably doesn't have the tricks of the others but can slot them and has reasonable accuracy and range on his kicks. Will do time in the middle but likely career flanker.

 

[Quigley]

Nice. Cheers.

I think the doggies have enough tall defenders not to have to panic about it. We have Lake, Hargrave, Williams, Markcovic and Wood to play tall down back, and even Cordy could play a few games back there next year, as he has done for Williamstown.

So I dont see us reaching for a so-so tall defender this draft - more of a best available draft for mine, with one of our first rounders in '12 having a much better chance of netting us a quality key defender.

And if we have a glaring need, it would be for quality users of the ball, and for that reason, even if we went needs this draft, it would not neccessarilly be a tall player.

So yeah, McKenzie fits the ball, but not sold on Frost as early as 39 nor Gault at all.

From the outside I don't see Hargrave and Wood as KPD. Third talls at best. Lake if he has another season like last will probably be done and anyway teh Bullies need to plan for his retirement. That leaves Williams who is injured a lot and Markcovic who is solid but unspectacular. I would have thought a KPD would have been one of your priorities this year although I can accept that you might not be enthused with Frost. I like the kid though and think there is not a huge difference between him and his brother and you can get Jack a lot cheaper than Sam.

In saying that I fully accept that could use a few good users of the ball. I am drafting for you on another site and have been trying to get some quick good users to complement the next wave of inside guys you have. Thinking of someone to take Sherman's role but can kick.

Gault I have gone with as a big body forward who can provide a target and a contest deep up forward and do some 2nd ruck work when needed. Roughhead may the guy you have lined up for that but with the departure of Hudson I thought you could maybe bolster the ranks.

 

[Quigley]

Great effort Quigley, as always your mocks are fantastic to read for draft junkies like me. Just some thoughts on Geelong's picks. Haynes is great if he gets that far, really fits the Wells model of preferring to draft tall midfielders who are smart in traffic and have some positional versatility.. Bussey has really disappointed me in some of his games this year, for a guy with his talent he just doesn't use all of it often enough. Not knocking your pick but we might go a different way. Speaking of which I'd say your pick 33 and 35 funnily enough would be very much in the frame for our p32 and 34. Blee in particular appeals a lot, with Scarlett having made clear he'll retire in 12 months, Lonergan will be 28 and talls take time to develop as you point out. Gillies is pretty much all we have in reserve and based on his poor year in the VFL this year you wouldn't be that confident of him being the answer long term. And short term as well, with the age of our defensive group there may well be a need to fit in a ready made player for now or 12 months time rather than wait 4 years of development time again, lest we have to turn over the whole defensive group at once (a gradual transition would be best IMO) and Blee really fits the bill for mine on both an ability and needs basis, and I'd be surprised if he's not quite high up our short list.

I know that people often throw it out there in their phantom drafts that Geelong have no obvious list weaknesses and can afford to pick the best available fruit that falls from the tree, and that's still true to an extent but as the list ages there's some obvious list needs particularly at both ends of the spine. I know you do say you don't rate the crop of talls this year but I'd say unless we're confident of getting 3 or 4 very good ones next year then that's primarily where our focus this year will lie.

Lastly a question on your pick 42 Kyle Hartigan, every year I pump his name up and continually look silly when he's not in the frame. I know the kicking skills are a worry for some recruiters but I don't see sub standard ability there and his one on one ability and massive tank are really big strengths for modern defenders. Do you think he's a realistic chance to go this year? I thought he had a great year for Weribbee and really improved on last year, but I noted that Mangan (and Tighe also I think) got SS invites ahead of him, so maybe he's not in the frame again, but I hope he will be.

I agree with you that Blee would probably be right in the frame for Geelong and I will bow to your knowledge on how you think Geelong will go balance wise. That took Taylor as a mature ager a couple of years ago and it paid dividends and they could easily go that way again if they didn't rate the youngsters very highly.

Hartigan I think is probably a rookie shot at best I am thinking but I really don't know why someone doesn't give him a shot. He is still a young guy who looks like he should be able to step in and play right away but there seems like there is not much interest in him. Tighe seems to be preferred and he did well this year as well but I would take Hartigan over him and I think there are worse guys started for teams around the competition. Personally I would have been more confident with Hartigan than Maguire at fullback after Merrett went down.

 

[johnnypanther]

Thanks Quigley - that is a real opus magnum
I've been hanging out for it and the details for those of us who cannot see
U18s etc games are invaluable for years to come.

Now i'll be up all night reading it, and then get abused by my wife who thinks i'm on pr0n sites all night whilst she's asleep

 

[yakka man]

Cheers Quigley, a very good read. You ought to be paid for the work you put into that. Same for some of the other Phantom drafts

 

[Fastwaters]

Well done Quigley. Great read....articulate and insightful. Concerning the players mentioned that I know personally, your research, facts and 'opinions' seem spot on.