RT's 2016 Phantom Draft and Discussion

[avishka5]

Rancid Trogs great write up
Is there a chance a pepper-powell might drop to the eagles?

Noha Hura sounds like a great prospect and adds a bit of speed but i one weakness in the eagles list is the lack of quality inside mids. They have drafted a lot of outside players in the last few years and only Hutchings (late pick 2012), Sheed (pick 11 2013) and Waterman (late F/S 2014) have been the only inside players the eagles have recruited in the last few years. who are some quality inside players that eagles could be looking at?

 

[Rancid Trogs]

Any top mids that possess that break away burst of speed from the stoppage (danger-esque) in this years crop?

Not a lot of Dangerfield style explosiveness in this draft. More smooth movers with good top line speed (SPS for example). Powell-Pepper has an explosiveness to his game and is probably the only one on that level (albeit not in the realms of Dangerfield). Jack Graham, while a little further down the draft order has an explosive initial few strides. He's a powerful little player that I feel will be a little beauty. A little later down the draft someone like Venebles has an explosiveness to his game. It just remains to be seen if he becomes a full time mid or that for/mid rotator.

Any chance of the debutant Joshua Begley from Eastern Ranges after kicking 6. Strong game, coming from senior footy just wanna know anyones early thoughts.

Wasn't on my radar until that performance. Was a late call up to the Ranges after dominating a couple of weeks at local footy. Appears to be around the 190cm / 90+kg mark. Really solid and powerful mid-sized forward. If he keeps producing these kinds of performances clubs will want him.

Rancid Trogs great write up
Is there a chance a pepper-powell might drop to the eagles?

Noha Hura sounds like a great prospect and adds a bit of speed but i one weakness in the eagles list is the lack of quality inside mids. They have drafted a lot of outside players in the last few years and only Hutchings (late pick 2012), Sheed (pick 11 2013) and Waterman (late F/S 2014) have been the only inside players the eagles have recruited in the last few years. who are some quality inside players that eagles could be looking at?

Thanks for the kind words!

The way Powell-Pepper has started the season, he looks more and more likely to go very early. Has been winning plenty of ball and kicking goals. Unfortunately, with the Eagles looking a contender, I don't feel he'll still be available at your first.

My feel for WCE midfield is that you have a large amount of inside / outside players. It's a really balanced group that is deceptive because many of them are good on the outside and not possessing of huge bodies. I feel it's an effective group - and a young group, which equals long term sustained success. Granted, you can never have too many dominant inside brutes, and if there is one available at your pick you would have to consider it. At the time of my last update, Hura was the best available. Which for a team in premiership contention is how I feel they will draft.

If you were desperate for inside quality, players like McCluggage, Clarke and Venebles are likely available around your first pick and possess qualities that lend themselves to being good inside the contest (McCluggage super clean and efficient inside the contest, Clarke big bodied and stoppage smart, Venebles big and strong and has some explosiveness).

 

[avishka5]

Not a lot of Dangerfield style explosiveness in this draft. More smooth movers with good top line speed (SPS for example). Powell-Pepper has an explosiveness to his game and is probably the only one on that level (albeit not in the realms of Dangerfield). Jack Graham, while a little further down the draft order has an explosive initial few strides. He's a powerful little player that I feel will be a little beauty. A little later down the draft someone like Venebles has an explosiveness to his game. It just remains to be seen if he becomes a full time mid or that for/mid rotator.



Wasn't on my radar until that performance. Was a late call up to the Ranges after dominating a couple of weeks at local footy. Appears to be around the 190cm / 90+kg mark. Really solid and powerful mid-sized forward. If he keeps producing these kinds of performances clubs will want him.



Thanks for the kind words!

The way Powell-Pepper has started the season, he looks more and more likely to go very early. Has been winning plenty of ball and kicking goals. Unfortunately, with the Eagles looking a contender, I don't feel he'll still be available at your first.

My feel for WCE midfield is that you have a large amount of inside / outside players. It's a really balanced group that is deceptive because many of them are good on the outside and not possessing of huge bodies. I feel it's an effective group - and a young group, which equals long term sustained success. Granted, you can never have too many dominant inside brutes, and if there is one available at your pick you would have to consider it. At the time of my last update, Hura was the best available. Which for a team in premiership contention is how I feel they will draft.

If you were desperate for inside quality, players like McCluggage, Clarke and Venebles are likely available around your first pick and possess qualities that lend themselves to being good inside the contest (McCluggage super clean and efficient inside the contest, Clarke big bodied and stoppage smart, Venebles big and strong and has some explosiveness).

cheers. will do a bit more research into the guys mentioned above and follow them a bit closely this year

 

[Rancid Trogs]

Power rankings updated. Some good movers of the last few weeks. Looking a deeper draft by the day. Expect a Phantom Draft update over the weekend.

 

[Rancid Trogs]

Update to power rankings, phantom draft and some player descriptions prior to Division One of the National Championships. Plenty of risers from Division Two as they have the exposed form of late. Will be interesting to see how the Allies go in Division One - will really help to sort out the draft order.

 

[getgaff]

Update to power rankings, phantom draft and some player descriptions prior to Division One of the National Championships. Plenty of risers from Division Two as they have the exposed form of late. Will be interesting to see how the Allies go in Division One - will really help to sort out the draft order.

Cheers for updating Rancid, enjoyed the read! I think Bowes has put himself well in the mix as that #1 contention over the Div 2 Champs and I'll be intrigued to see how he goes in the Allies side.

Right now the battle for the number one pick in the draft seems still very open which is great, SPS has been a common name and won't take much convincing from the Dockers to take him but it seems there is more names in the mix. Good example is Todd Marshall, who on the back of recent performances and the news that he won't be an Academy selection stocks seem to have risen considerably.

Looking at your pick for West Coast Jordan Galluci is exactly the type of player we'd draft. Ticks the boxes that West Coast recruiters like, particularly for the wider field home field at Domain. The Jake Waterman pick is also bang on the money pending where a bid comes. Anything in or after second round and the club will match i'd presume.

If we hold a first round draft pick my personal preference (if available) would be Ben Ainsworth though and my reasoning is we don't have a forward like him on our list. Mal Karpany's on the list who was re-signed not long ago but we're clutching at straws if we think he is the answer to that problem. Our smaller forwards either haven't come on as hoped (Karpany), had outside issues (Newman), inconsistent (Hill) or looked to have been transformed into more forward / midfielders rather than just settling them as forwards at least in the early stages of there AFL career.

If we walk away from the 2016 drafts with Ainsworth or Jy Simpkin along with a more mature smaller forward that would be considered as "AFL ready" I'd be really happy.

 

[avishka5]

Cheers for updating Rancid, enjoyed the read! I think Bowes has put himself well in the mix as that #1 contention over the Div 2 Champs and I'll be intrigued to see how he goes in the Allies side.

Right now the battle for the number one pick in the draft seems still very open which is great, SPS has been a common name and won't take much convincing from the Dockers to take him but it seems there is more names in the mix. Good example is Todd Marshall, who on the back of recent performances and the news that he won't be an Academy selection stocks seem to have risen considerably.

Looking at your pick for West Coast Jordan Galluci is exactly the type of player we'd draft. Ticks the boxes that West Coast recruiters like, particularly for the wider field home field at Domain. The Jake Waterman pick is also bang on the money pending where a bid comes. Anything in or after second round and the club will match i'd presume.

If we hold a first round draft pick my personal preference (if available) would be Ben Ainsworth though and my reasoning is we don't have a forward like him on our list. Mal Karpany's on the list who was re-signed not long ago but we're clutching at straws if we think he is the answer to that problem. Our smaller forwards either haven't come on as hoped (Karpany), had outside issues (Newman), inconsistent (Hill) or looked to have been transformed into more forward / midfielders rather than just settling them as forwards at least in the early stages of there AFL career.

If we walk away from the 2016 drafts with Ainsworth or Jy Simpkin along with a more mature smaller forward that would be considered as "AFL ready" I'd be really happy.

personally i would like to get a good inside midfielder with our first. I think thats our current weakness. we basically have a full squad(except sheed) and yet we still have issues against better sides. SPP would be a good addition to the middle but his footskills might put or recruiters off.

 

[Rancid Trogs]

Cheers for updating Rancid, enjoyed the read! I think Bowes has put himself well in the mix as that #1 contention over the Div 2 Champs and I'll be intrigued to see how he goes in the Allies side.

Right now the battle for the number one pick in the draft seems still very open which is great, SPS has been a common name and won't take much convincing from the Dockers to take him but it seems there is more names in the mix. Good example is Todd Marshall, who on the back of recent performances and the news that he won't be an Academy selection stocks seem to have risen considerably.

Looking at your pick for West Coast Jordan Galluci is exactly the type of player we'd draft. Ticks the boxes that West Coast recruiters like, particularly for the wider field home field at Domain. The Jake Waterman pick is also bang on the money pending where a bid comes. Anything in or after second round and the club will match i'd presume.

If we hold a first round draft pick my personal preference (if available) would be Ben Ainsworth though and my reasoning is we don't have a forward like him on our list. Mal Karpany's on the list who was re-signed not long ago but we're clutching at straws if we think he is the answer to that problem. Our smaller forwards either haven't come on as hoped (Karpany), had outside issues (Newman), inconsistent (Hill) or looked to have been transformed into more forward / midfielders rather than just settling them as forwards at least in the early stages of there AFL career.

If we walk away from the 2016 drafts with Ainsworth or Jy Simpkin along with a more mature smaller forward that would be considered as "AFL ready" I'd be really happy.

Thanks mate! Simpkin is the other one I have West Coast considering at their first pick. In the end I went with Gallucci as he adds that outside run to complement Gaff and doesn't have Simpkin's broken leg. But it was a close call and my next update may have me going a different way again.

personally i would like to get a good inside midfielder with our first. I think thats our current weakness. we basically have a full squad(except sheed) and yet we still have issues against better sides. SPP would be a good addition to the middle but his footskills might put or recruiters off.

I think for now, Priddis, Redden, Shuey, Sheed and Masten (+ Naitanui as a follow up ruck) have enough inside ability. Cole, Partington, Lamb and Nelson also have attributes that suggest they may be good at the coalface. Granted there are no real 'bulls' in that group, but they make up for that in their ability to also get out on the spread. A really inside/outside midfield. However, if a Will Brodie was available, or a Sam Powell-Pepper tidied up his kicking, they would no doubt receive considerable consideration.

 

[Rancid Trogs]

Post U/18 Championships Update:

- Power Rankings Overhaul (now to a top 60)
- Re-calculation of draft order
- First two rounds of a Phantom Draft updated

 

[blueiris]

Why do you see the Lions taking Brodie instead of McCluggage or SPS?

 

[AFLDraftSniper1]

What are your thoughts on Scrimshaw going higher than McGrath, I think he is a better investment and has more development with his frame with a better kick and more footy smarts. Thoughts?

 

[AFLDraftSniper1]

What are your thoughts on Scrimshaw going higher than McGrath? I think he has more potential to develop with a taller and lighter frame, a better disposal and better footy smarts.

 

[Rancid Trogs]

Why do you see the Lions taking Brodie instead of McCluggage or SPS?

I feel the three players are similar in total quality - SPS and McCluggage have more x-factor while Brodie is a more rounded and better sized mid. Essentially, I feel Brodie, with his hard working and determined attitude, is a safer selection and one that guarantees a long term high quality player. I feel Brisbane would look at him as a safe bet, a leader and a setter of standards going forward. Also, Brisbane has more mid/forwards than big bodied and high class inside mids. However, I can see that McCluggage, with his numbers this season, would definitely appeal at pick #1.

What are your thoughts on Scrimshaw going higher than McGrath, I think he is a better investment and has more development with his frame with a better kick and more footy smarts. Thoughts?

I really rate both Scrimshaw and McGrath. Both I can see potentially going top 5 - 7. Scrimshaw possibly has more upside with his size and athleticism combined with his marking a footskills. McGrath is just a little jet. I love his two way game - able to completely shut down quality players while still providing wicked rebound. Also love his leadership and marking overhead for his size.

I suspect both will end up wonderful players.

 

[Bicks]

Andrew McGrath comparison Gavin Wanganeen

 

[CrusaderAussie1]

Thanks mate! Simpkin is the other one I have West Coast considering at their first pick. In the end I went with Gallucci as he adds that outside run to complement Gaff and doesn't have Simpkin's broken leg. But it was a close call and my next update may have me going a different way again.



I think for now, Priddis, Redden, Shuey, Sheed and Masten (+ Naitanui as a follow up ruck) have enough inside ability. Cole, Partington, Lamb and Nelson also have attributes that suggest they may be good at the coalface. Granted there are no real 'bulls' in that group, but they make up for that in their ability to also get out on the spread. A really inside/outside midfield. However, if a Will Brodie was available, or a Sam Powell-Pepper tidied up his kicking, they would no doubt receive considerable consideration.

Masten , Redden . Footballers ??

Masten , the late Ken judge summed him up collects cheap processions and stars because he can't hurt opposition . Slow , very average kick, does not hit scoreboard . Leave him to get it , you won't get hurt .

SPS already a better footballer by some distance
SPP more damaging , game changer

 

[getgaff]

Masten , Redden . Footballers ??

Masten , the late Ken judge summed him up collects cheap processions and stars because he can't hurt opposition . Slow , very average kick, does not hit scoreboard . Leave him to get it , you won't get hurt .

SPS already a better footballer by some distance
SPP more damaging , game changer

Think your underselling Redden a bit. Was a proven player and ball winner at Brisbane, much more so than Masten but he is struggling in a new team and coaching style. I'd hoped he would slot into our midfield seamlessly and be a strong inside presence in the midfield but that hasn't happened enough yet.

As for Masten I couldn't agree more with your thoughts. Very low hurt factor, opposition teams would much rather a 30 touch Masten game than a 20 touch Shuey game.

 

[avishka5]

Masten , Redden . Footballers ??

Masten , the late Ken judge summed him up collects cheap processions and stars because he can't hurt opposition . Slow , very average kick, does not hit scoreboard . Leave him to get it , you won't get hurt .

SPS already a better footballer by some distance
SPP more damaging , game changer

redden has had 2 operations since joining west coast. One is a heria operation, which is a pretty big operation. A few seasons back he was a very good player. the club seriously mismanage him early on. Agree about masten insiide abillity. But in the last few years his come on. Still a whipping boy but not as bad as our fans think he is. His kicking has improved significantly to the point where he is probably our third best kick going inside 50.

 

[CrusaderAussie1]

redden has had 2 operations since joining west coast. One is a heria operation, which is a pretty big operation. A few seasons back he was a very good player. the club seriously mismanage him early on. Agree about masten insiide abillity. But in the last few years his come on. Still a whipping boy but not as bad as our fans think he is. His kicking has improved significantly to the point where he is probably our third best kick going inside 50.

If he is third best it is a very damning comment on # 4

 

[HBFlanker]

Why are people not rating Sam McClarty in this draft?

He is going to the draft camp and would be a real chance

 

[Boneless23]

A great draft RT. This is general question as it seems to be common across a few Phantom Drafts on BF but why is Powell-Pepper so high in your phantom draft but comparatively low on your Big Board?

 

[Rancid Trogs]

Andrew McGrath comparison Gavin Wanganeen

Yeah, love the comparison. Has that same slipperiness Wanganeen had. Has that same poise, that burst of speed. Is hard and tough despite being small and deceptively good overhead. Like him more every time I see him.

Masten , Redden . Footballers ??

Masten, the late Ken judge summed him up - collects cheap processions and stats because he can't hurt opposition. Slow, very average kick, does not hit scoreboard . Leave him to get it, you won't get hurt.

SPS already a better footballer by some distance
SPP more damaging , game changer

Don't get me wrong, I love SPS. Future star. But I feel you're harsh on Masten. Perhaps doesn't live up to his initial draft number but is still a more than handy rotational mid. Good meters gained player, good disposal numbers and good tackle numbers over the journey. Lacks hurt factor but as an 8th or deeper mid is more than ok. Kicking better than it once was.

Redden also much better than has shown this year - I believe injury has greatly impacted his form this season. Will be good for the Eagles long term. Good size, good contested ball ability, neat disposal. Will be good.

Think your underselling Redden a bit. Was a proven player and ball winner at Brisbane, much more so than Masten but he is struggling in a new team and coaching style. I'd hoped he would slot into our midfield seamlessly and be a strong inside presence in the midfield but that hasn't happened enough yet.

As for Masten I couldn't agree more with your thoughts. Very low hurt factor, opposition teams would much rather a 30 touch Masten game than a 20 touch Shuey game.

Agree on both points. Although I feel there's a place for Masten as a rotational mid. Redden will be good long term. Give him a full pre-season and he'll repay the faith.

Why are people not rating Sam McClarty in this draft?

He is going to the draft camp and would be a real chance

Hasn't set the world on fire this season after looking a good KPD prospect as an underager. Has been swung forward a fair bit and hasn't quite come on as a KPF. Has some nice attributes and definitely could get drafted, although I feel as a late / rookie selection. Could prove an astute choice at that range.

A great draft RT. This is general question as it seems to be common across a few Phantom Drafts on BF but why is Powell-Pepper so high in your phantom draft but comparatively low on your Big Board?

Thanks mate! Appreciate the kind words.

I personally have issues with Powell-Pepper's kicking. While he does possess so many raw AFL attributes, the kicking is damning. I have West Coast taking him at their first because he has the potential to be a point-of-difference player - explosive, dynamic, goal scoring. Has reputed leadership. He goes between their first and second, although I don't feel he's there at their second. Which is why I've got them taking him perhaps earlier than I would.

 

[CrusaderAussie1]

Yeah, love the comparison. Has that same slipperiness Wanganeen had. Has that same poise, that burst of speed. Is hard and tough despite being small and deceptively good overhead. Like him more every time I see him.



Don't get me wrong, I love SPS. Future star. But I feel you're harsh on Masten. Perhaps doesn't live up to his initial draft number but is still a more than handy rotational mid. Good meters gained player, good disposal numbers and good tackle numbers over the journey. Lacks hurt factor but as an 8th or deeper mid is more than ok. Kicking better than it once was.

Redden also much better than has shown this year - I believe injury has greatly impacted his form this season. Will be good for the Eagles long term. Good size, good contested ball ability, neat disposal. Will be good.



Agree on both points. Although I feel there's a place for Masten as a rotational mid. Redden will be good long term. Give him a full pre-season and he'll repay the faith.



Hasn't set the world on fire this season after looking a good KPD prospect as an underager. Has been swung forward a fair bit and hasn't quite come on as a KPF. Has some nice attributes and definitely could get drafted, although I feel as a late / rookie selection. Could prove an astute choice at that range.



Thanks mate! Appreciate the kind words.

I personally have issues with Powell-Pepper's kicking. While he does possess so many raw AFL attributes, the kicking is damning. I have West Coast taking him at their first because he has the potential to be a point-of-difference player - explosive, dynamic, goal scoring. Has reputed leadership. He goes between their first and second, although I don't feel he's there at their second. Which is why I've got them taking him perhaps earlier than I would.

Kicking was poor when he kicked out of square for 18s last year , much work done and I think he's a good kick now .

Has captained Aust schoolboys and Aust Boomerangs been in leadership groups all the way through . This is more due to follow me attitude than rousing team talk. Have heard his family background was not that great but he still decided to push through , if so full credit and that adds to Leadership credentials