Preview R16: Changes vs. Richmond Tigers (after the bye)

[FR0GGY]

A team we have not beaten at the MCG since a Andrew McLeod masterpiece back in 2001 (Tigers were a top 4 side that year). We cannot underestimate Richmond no matter where they are on the ladder.

I want the coach to bring in Draper and start him. His time is now.

In: Peatling, Draper
Out: Murphy, Butts or Smith.

We beat them in 2008 there

 

[MrBarry]

That's just seeing ghosts. There is only one thing that influences Nicks playing youth or not, which is are they a genuine best 22 player at this point in time?

Someone like Michaelanny, Rachele and Soligo have barely missed a game since they were drafted because they were a best 22 player from day dot (and in Michaelanny case, we loved him so much we were willing to sacrifice one of Doedee/Worrell career for him). Someone like Taylor/Cook has have struggled for game time in the four-five years they've been on a list because they've rarely been at a point where they were genuinely able to compete for a best 22 spot.

We will not play a speculative kid for the sake of getting games into them (after all, we already know about what they're capable of), unless any chance to make finals is dead and buried. If we're not playing a kid, it's because we believe someone else is the better player.

Effectively perceived player quality is all we care about.

This isn't true, we've done it with Curtin, he started the year slowly and has built himself into the team and now performing. Sometimes you just need to allow the talent time to get up to speed and we do not do it enough.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

This isn't true, we've done it with Curtin, he started the year slowly and has built himself into the team and now performing. Sometimes you just need to allow the talent time to get up to speed and we do not do it enough.

Spot on

A 22 is big enough to have one or two spots for tomorrow players.

Does Murphy vs Draper as a high half forward really impact the upcoming weekend's result to any meaningful extent?

Being generous to Murphy, I'd say a wash now with Draper overtaking very quickly - if he gets to gain confidence by playing.

We had no real plan for Curtin. It's lucky that Sholl had an awful start to the season and a role opened up for him.

 

[CrowBloke]

How many games did any of our juniors get in their first years? And how much time on ground?

2023, Max Michalanney, 19 years old --- 22 games.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

How many games did any of our juniors get in their first years? And how much time on ground?

2024 - Draper 9 games, plenty of sub time, Welsh 0 games

2023 - Curtin 2 games, plenty of sub time, Edwards & Ryan still yet to debut unfortunately

2022 - Michaelanny 22 games. Dowling & Bond 0 games

2021 - Rachele 13 games. Soligo 16 games Taylor 0 games.

2020 - Thilthorpe 14 games. Pedlar 2 games. Cook 3 games. Berry 17 games. Rowe 19 games.

 

[Ham]

Wonder if Laird’s shoulder scan didnt come back good

 

[Samcro24]

2024 - Draper 9 games, plenty of sub time, Welsh 0 games

2023 - Curtin 2 games, plenty of sub time, Edwards & Ryan still yet to debut unfortunately

2022 - Michaelanny 22 games. Dowling & Bond 0 games

2021 - Rachele 13 games. Soligo 16 games Taylor 0 games.

2020 - Thilthorpe 14 games. Pedlar 2 games. Cook 3 games. Berry 17 games. Rowe 19 games.

It’s the pure mids.

We don’t like drafting them.

And we certainly don’t like playing them in the guts.

 

[Mostyn]

The injury thing is a bit of a furphy though isn't it? Reminds me of Soligo at the start of 2024 being the sub and the excuse being an injury from months prior.

The club has repeatedly referred to Draper being the sub as it being by design as he's an "impact player". Not about managing an injury. In fact I think he's been named to play every game and hasn't been managed once? Right now those games are in the SANFL.

If he has legitimately been injured in a way that would limit his game time - which I think is not the case, but let's say it is - then why are we naming a player that can't play a full game in a position where he might be required to play a full game? And further, why is he playing full SANFL games?

Managing an injury is an excuse to justify our poor treatment and use of him this year. His back injury was at least 9 months ago and given he's playing full SANFL games it's irrelevant

I never once said managing an injury.

He's a kid, and each draftee will have different programs for getting their body ready to play AFL long-term.

Nicks has played a bunch of other kids from day one. And others have needed time.

I think they had a plan with Curtin (which frankly is starting to look good) and they also have one with Draper. I think he slowly starts getting more time, then gets a full off season, then is a starting midfielder.

I think Burgess has a clear idea how to best prepare him, and I don't see any particular reason to think his perspective is "disastrous".

 

[Mostyn]

We only perceive players like Murphy are better due to their experience.

Which means the younger players can't ever attain what they need to be selected

You're replying to a post that listed a whole series of players who were first 18 from day one.

 

[Trigger13]

On Draper. It’s not a disaster. But it’s certainly disappointing to see a high draft pick playing worse SANFL footy than he did before he was drafted. If you are using SANFL senior footy form as a measuring stick, he’s gone backwards.

What’s really disappointing is the way the club doesn’t tell us why.

My guess is he’s down on confidence because of the way he’s been (mis)managed.

 

[George CantStandYa]

On Draper. It’s not a disaster. But it’s certainly disappointing to see a high draft pick playing worse SANFL footy than he did before he was drafted. If you are using SANFL senior footy form as a measuring stick, he’s gone backwards.

What’s really disappointing is the way the club doesn’t tell us why.

My guess is he’s down on confidence because of the way he’s been (mis)managed.

He’s had shocking continuity of football.

 

[Southerntakeover]

Here's a fun one.

Rising stars sorted by time on ground percentage. Draper is 80th. Not bad for pick four.

Funnily enough, even Curtin is only 24th.

Soligo was 38th in his year. Even the ones the cheerleaders brag about, we didn't really put the minutes into.

Max was the exception because he played a role we already consider fringe.

2025 AFL Rising Stars Time On Ground % Per Game Leaders

2025 AFL Rising Stars Time On Ground % Per Game Leaders.

www.footywire.com

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Max was the exception because he played a role we already consider fringe.

Also injury had forced Luke Brown into early retirement which opened up a spot immediately in Max's exact role

 

[MRB37]

On Draper. It’s not a disaster. But it’s certainly disappointing to see a high draft pick playing worse SANFL footy than he did before he was drafted. If you are using SANFL senior footy form as a measuring stick, he’s gone backwards.

What’s really disappointing is the way the club doesn’t tell us why.

My guess is he’s down on confidence because of the way he’s been (mis)managed.

I woiuld guess he's gone backwards because he's having nothing but "DEFENSIVE RUNNING" drilled into him in the SANFL by Godden and like a lot of our midfielders it's dulled every single offensive instinct he has.

 

[1970crow]

Here's a fun one.

Rising stars sorted by time on ground percentage. Draper is 80th. Not bad for pick four.

Funnily enough, even Curtin is only 24th.

Soligo was 38th in his year. Even the ones the cheerleaders brag about, we didn't really put the minutes into.

Max was the exception because he played a role we already consider fringe.

2025 AFL Rising Stars Time On Ground % Per Game Leaders

2025 AFL Rising Stars Time On Ground % Per Game Leaders.

www.footywire.com

Our kids are just at a different stage of their development.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Wonder if Laird’s shoulder scan didnt come back good

Really good to hear those positives from Laird about Edwards.

I've never heard him talk about anyone under 30 at the club previously

Except Rachele

 

[Cromulant]

Really good to hear those positives from Laird about Edwards.

I've never heard him talk about anyone under 30 at the club previously

Except Rachele

Tex mentioned him this morning too.

 

[Southerntakeover]

Our kids are just at a different stage of their development.

All of them, always

 

[ftmch]

Tex mentioned him this morning too.

I smell a debut

 

[Cromulant]

I smell a debut

Ive got my doubts, but it would be great if we did that.

 

[MRB37]

I smell a debut

Sub and Smith into the 22.

 

[1970crow]

Ive got my doubts, but it would be great if we did that.

With Smith already in the 23, an injury could see him get a guernsey.

 

[Viva la Mattner]

Pedlar will be out m already planted the seed he is under a fitness test cloud

Edwards might be getting a gig !

 

[Mutineer]

 

[Mutineer]