Game Day The 2025 Draft Day Thread

[UseR2006]

And a song to sing as we watch,

Hey Matty Clarke by Kevin (Random260) Wilson :

Hey Matty Clarke you campaigner, where the **** is Sharp
I’ve looked at all these other spuds and there’s no one that I like
I wrote you a ****ing letter and posted about it twice
You dopey ****ing Richmond fart, you forgot my ****ing Sharp

If I wanted a stupid ruckman type, I would’ve bloody asked
And this half back flank and temu mid, you can shove right up your arse
You’ve stuffed the bloody order up, it’s enough to make you spew
But it’s not just me who’s snakey, SGIO is dirty too

Next time I come to see ya, I’m going to punch you in the guts
And I’ll sack the other recruiting knobs and kick Toddy in the nuts
You just wait 'til next year when you go back to the draft
And me and me little GIO come stomping through the door
And we'll say, yeah, you wait for it

Hey Pyke and Woosh you smell his breath
And check his bloodshot eyes
And don't listen to him eagles fans 'cause he tells ****ing lies
He's just a ****ing useless campaigner and he's not even very bright
'Cause the stupid ****in' w***er, forgot me ****in' Sharp

Hey Matty Clarke you campaigner, where the **** is Sharp
I’ve looked at all these other spuds and there’s no one that I like
I wrote you a ****ing letter and posted about it twice
You dopey ****ing Richmond fart, you forgot my ****ing Sharp

A Quick Ai rendition: https://suno.com/s/blQP3cSnulhqYb5g
It's funny how it interrupted the lyrics XD

 

[NSLK]

I’m happy with Rodriguez as the consolation prize for missing out on Banfield and think he’s a good chance to have the better AFL career of the two. But in a perfect world, I’d have Banfield on the list if for no other reason than the optics would look better having the son of a dual premiership player in our colours instead of a rival’s.

I get the run out of credits view after the last half a decade of poor performances, that has, in part, been due to decisions predating these past 5 years.

But I also think 2024, despite the lack of wins, was the first step towards getting this club back on its feet - even if we took a necessary step backwards to move forward. It was McQualter’s first year in charge and it was spent identifying what we had and what was needed to improve

Hence, the implementation of what I consider to be a carefully and meticulously designed plan on how to get the best results from our playing list. I can see what they’re trying to do but also accept why some won’t think it’s the right path

If you haven’t already, go watch the Jamie Maddocks interview in the media thread. I’d never heard him speak before, had no knowledge of his existence before he was appointed head of development a year ago and if he sat next to me as I watched a training session I wouldn’t have recognised him.

But I was buoyed by what he had to say. Firstly, despite having not played at AFL level, he was very switched on and his background in coaching is extensive, particularly in development.

He discussed the challenges of developing such a young list and the need to educate them on how to prepare and train to be an AFL player and that he felt we were a long way behind were we needed to be when he arrived. The addition of those SSP players feeds into what he talked about was needed for a young group to learn from. He also said he believed there was significant progress made in how the players were preparing towards the back end of the year which I think might partially explain the retention of the likes of Barnett and Johnston

In short, I get the sense from what he said and what we did in the draft that there is a definite plan. Only time will tell if it’s a good one

As for the specific players you mentioned
• Barnett doesn’t necessarily need to become a best 22 player to justify his retention. He does need to become a consistent, and at times, dominant WAFL player who can at least be competitive if/when he gets a senior game
• Cripps I hope isn’t our leading goal kicker. Ideally he won’t even be in our top 5. In a perfect world he’ll be overtaken as a best 22 player as the year progresses (it would actually be a good thing if Owies steps up to replace him but I digress). That wouldn’t mean keeping him on the list was a mistake because his presence in the WAFL would be very useful
• Schoenberg winning the Samdover would be excellent. It’d mean he’d have served his purpose by and large - helping the younger players to play in a competitive side without taking AFL game minutes away from our developing players

Longer response than I intended sorry but I do try to work out the reasons for club decisions that I might not initially agree with or understand. Spent too long thinking about our draft but think I’ve made peace with it and get what the objectives are

Stopped reading at the suggestion of drafting lesser players for “optics”

Carlton let a Silvagni walk to St Kilda and delisted another

Adelaide didn’t even nominate Edwards and delisted another

All and sundry are bemoaning keeping Cripps on the senior list because of “feelings” (not even accurate) but are worried about optics?

I’m sure Charlie and Drew are beyond stoked that he’s on an AFL list and good on him. Both Cripps and Fred have more than 4 weeks of top shelf footy on the board and I wish Banfield well but the odds of him playing in our next flag were always approaching 0

 

[Elite Pete]

I see Walkers son is training with the Blues already. Do we roll Harper Banfield, McGalde, Kehn and Shanahan out next week? Or they busy with the WA summer program?

 

[Forward Press]

Stopped reading at the suggestion of drafting lesser players for “optics”

Carlton let a Silvagni walk to St Kilda and delisted another

Adelaide didn’t even nominate Edwards and delisted another

All and sundry are bemoaning keeping Cripps on the senior list because of “feelings” (not even accurate) but are worried about optics?

I’m sure Charlie and Drew are beyond stoked that he’s on an AFL list and good on him. Both Cripps and Fred have more than 4 weeks of top shelf footy on the board and I wish Banfield well but the odds of him playing in our next flag were always approaching 0

If they weren't the sons of club legends we would barely even care. If we rated them as rookie list material but other clubs rated them as late draft pick additions to their main list, good for them.

I recall a fair few posters also moaning we passed on Alec Waterman and it turned out to be the right call in the end. It's a ruthless business, sure I would have liked both on our list but in the end it's not that big a deal.

 

[mattyc75]

Lions list team member said this week their list plan is trade for need and draft best available.

I’d suggest we are doing very similar traded 3 x contested mids. Went hard at a top quality ruck.

I'd suggest when Brisbane said they'd trade for need they meant they'd trade in good players of need. We didn't trade for any contested mids. We took scraps directly from the scrap heap
We didn't trade in the chad or the bont or even libba. We put 3 guys on an extended rookie list

 

[mattyc75]

If they weren't the sons of club legends we would barely even care. If we rated them as rookie list material but other clubs rated them as late draft pick additions to their main list, good for them.

I recall a fair few posters also moaning we passed on Alec Waterman and it turned out to be the right call in the end. It's a ruthless business, sure I would have liked both on our list but in the end it's not that big a deal.

I thought we drafted Alec waterman? Delisted him after glandular fever?

 

[Wce17]

Why are GC & Lions academy/FS players allowed to play in there reserves teams full time but ours aren’t & if they do we have to get special permission?

Like surely if they are in the NGA or FS they should be allowed to for the WAFL eagles if there form warrants it.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Something people are not talking about is....

Was Macrae, Schonberg AND Dev one too many? For me it is. I think really one of them belongs on the WAFL team as a marquee player of sorts only (Macrae). All 3 is just 3 guys fighting for the same spot. If we did well the obvious and had Cripps on the rookie list to take Macraes spot and then just took Banfield like we all know we should have then we have a better mix of players AND still have experience in the WAFL we need

I guess after a 15% increase in the price of tickets we coudnt really afford the 150k or whatever it is to get Macrae over to the WAFL side...

 

[Wce17]

Something people are not talking about is....

Was Macrae, Schonberg AND Dev one too many? For me it is. I think really one of them belongs on the WAFL team as a marquee player of sorts only (Macrae). All 3 is just 3 guys fighting for the same spot. If we did well the obvious and had Cripps on the rookie list to take Macraes spot and then just took Banfield like we all know we should have then we have a better mix of players AND still have experience in the WAFL we need

I guess after a 15% increase in the price of tickets we coudnt really afford the 150k or whatever it is to get Macrae over to the WAFL side...

It’s done, move on, get over it.

Go find something that makes you happy because it certainly isn’t supporting the eagles ha

 

[squashface]

Something people are not talking about is....

Was Macrae, Schonberg AND Dev one too many? For me it is. I think really one of them belongs on the WAFL team as a marquee player of sorts only (Macrae). All 3 is just 3 guys fighting for the same spot. If we did well the obvious and had Cripps on the rookie list to take Macraes spot and then just took Banfield like we all know we should have then we have a better mix of players AND still have experience in the WAFL we need

I guess after a 15% increase in the price of tickets we coudnt really afford the 150k or whatever it is to get Macrae over to the WAFL side...

What's wrong with 3 of them fighting for the same spot? Means they are performing in the WAFL which is also of great benefit to us.

No more do we have to watch and 18 year old Gross, Petruccelle and an ammo as our centre square rotation.

 

[amazingjoshy]

Something people are not talking about is....

Was Macrae, Schonberg AND Dev one too many? For me it is. I think really one of them belongs on the WAFL team as a marquee player of sorts only (Macrae). All 3 is just 3 guys fighting for the same spot. If we did well the obvious and had Cripps on the rookie list to take Macraes spot and then just took Banfield like we all know we should have then we have a better mix of players AND still have experience in the WAFL we need

I guess after a 15% increase in the price of tickets we coudnt really afford the 150k or whatever it is to get Macrae over to the WAFL side...

Im far more bullish about these 3 than most on here. Exactly what we should use the extra spots for

Honestly think at least 2 of these guys will play regular senior footy in 2026.

Been done to death but if we wanted Banfield there were plenty of options to create the list spot. Listening to a few Clarke interviews afterwards, we simply didn't rate him (or Evans) that highly

 

[Astro7]

I'd suggest when Brisbane said they'd trade for need they meant they'd trade in good players of need. We didn't trade for any contested mids. We took scraps directly from the scrap heap
We didn't trade in the chad or the bont or even libba. We put 3 guys on an extended rookie list

I presume that's because we're building a framework around a certain demographic groomed to grow together over the long term. Bringing in a readymade star is a short term sugar hit, that also uses up valuable picks or building blocks for the future. The ones we've got in help prop up the others, a bit like training wheels, until they hit their stride. One by one the training wheels fall away as the genuine team emerges, a programmed metamorphosis really. (excuse the whack analogy)

(Also, we seem to have a bunch of contested mids from the trade/draft and emerging on the list. We certainly have enough choice and variables to create a much stronger midfield this season onwards.)

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

What's wrong with 3 of them fighting for the same spot? Means they are performing in the WAFL which is also of great benefit to us.

No more do we have to watch and 18 year old Gross, Petruccelle and an ammo as our centre square rotation.

One too many options when we simply dont have a clear answer on the wing... when we had a winger their to be taken on the cheap like Banfield.

My issue also is we are using the AFL team to prop up the WAFL team because we are too cheap to move some funds around and actually invest in the WAFL team.

Its been pointed out by many people many times but we have WAFL concessions that we simply dont use all the while Pyke bitches about the WAFL team needing improvement. This move to me just feels like a case of moving money around to save money.

One of the 3 should be in the WAFL squad and aiming for the mid season draft selection from us

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Why are GC & Lions academy/FS players allowed to play in there reserves teams full time but ours aren’t & if they do we have to get special permission?

Like surely if they are in the NGA or FS they should be allowed to for the WAFL eagles if there form warrants it.

They are allowed.... we just dont do it.

 

[mattyc75]

I presume that's because we're building a framework around a certain demographic groomed to grow together over the long term. Bringing in a readymade star is a short term sugar hit, that also uses up valuable picks or building blocks for the future. The ones we've got in help prop up the others, a bit like training wheels, until they hit their stride. One by one the training wheels fall away as the genuine team emerges, a programmed metamorphosis really. (excuse the whack analogy)

(Also, we seem to have a bunch of contested mids from the trade/draft and emerging on the list. We certainly have enough choice and variables to create a much stronger midfield this season onwards.)

I know the term sugar hit has become en vogue the last year or 2 but getting talent into the club isn't a sugar hit if they are in the right age bracket.
Sure i agree with the draft capital used to get them could hurt but getting a dev ,who has been unable to get into an admittedly strong midfield isn't a guarenteed fix.
Macrae was delisted from an aging midfield crying out for youth to displace their oldies
I dont even know anything about the other guy.
Hopefully they drive standards at wafl level and contribute when called up but taking them instead of say a Banfield is a mistake

 

[Jumpoff Joey]

I am really not fussed.

Not emotionally attached, or romanticising about the idea of Premiership Legend Son playing for the club. If they rated Evans and Banfield, it would be pure negligence on Clarke's behalf not to trim the list further and have spots available.

They had ample time to get it right.

Between a staff of 10, 15, or 20 with a mix of experience, are we honestly saying they are that amateurish? It was a mistake? Surely not.....

For me, the thought process is that they did not rate them as good enough.

No harm, no foul.

The kids still found themselves to be on the list, and if they develop into players that they believe in themselves to be then the lure of home is still there for both of them.

Its on them now to prove they are good enough. I wish them well.

 

[boondy]

When Chad Warner

1

Chad Warner

Age

24

Ht

185cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

7.0

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

2.5

2star

M

1.5

2star

T

1.5

3star

CL

0.0

1star

D

7.0

1star

K

4.5

2star

HB

2.5

2star

M

1.5

2star

T

1.5

2star

CL

0.0

1star

D

7.0

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

2.5

3star

M

1.5

2star

T

1.5

4star

CL

0.0

1star

is a restricted free agent there will be a bidding war Us Freo and Sydney can match to force a trade

 

[boondy]

Why isnt Wes Walley our cat b

 

[Jootube]

You can have an opinion, but at least base it on the obvious stuff that's right there in front of your face. The club has pretty much explained exactly what's gone down - that they stuck to a pre-draft plan (5x draftees +1 rookie, and get some mature bodies around the kids while they build). And that Banfield was earmarked as a rookie if he got there. If.

I'm not going to declare it a failure or a success right now, and certainly not going to melt down and scream "incompetence!!" because we didn't get a player who went at #41 in a supposedly weaker draft.

I feel like we're confusing strategy with outcome.
Neither of us can critique the outcome - that will come in the next 5 to 10 years.

What we CAN criticize is the plan to go into the draft without enough free list spots, and missing Banfield when it would've cost us SFA to match.

It has been said ad nauseam, but we've prioritized Schoenberg, Macrae, Cripps main list, and Barnett's final year over giving Banfield a chance.

Feels like we're going in circles here where you respond that the club followed their plan, and I repeat that I think the plan was a mistake.

 

[Jootube]

Why isnt Wes Walley our cat b

Suggestions earlier in the thread about some less than professional behaviour during the year.
Apparently he's still club-tied for the next year or two.

 

[boondy]

Then traded 34 for 2x F3s
So we’ve given Ryan and 34 for 1 draft position and a F3 in 2027 where it will push back to 60+

I was happy to get Ryan off our list . Past his use by . Shoulda been playing Wafl

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

Duursma
CDT
Lindsay
Allen
Williams (matched bid)
Rodriguez

Cripps and Barnett on senior list

Vs

Duursma
CDT
Addinsall
Allen
Evans (matched bid)
Williams (matched bid)
Banfield (matched bid)

Cripps on rookie list, Barnett and Harvey Johnston delisted (or insert another two players here)

Coming around to what we did, would have still preferred Banners Jnr over Williams, and to have handled the raid on Addinsall far better than we did. Consolation prize of Linsday is good, but losing a 2026 second rounder as part of the failed attempt stings. Would have been valuable when matching bids next year.

 

[boondy]

I’m happy with Rodriguez as the consolation prize for missing out on Banfield and think he’s a good chance to have the better AFL career of the two. But in a perfect world, I’d have Banfield on the list if for no other reason than the optics would look better having the son of a dual premiership player in our colours instead of a rival’s.

I get the run out of credits view after the last half a decade of poor performances, that has, in part, been due to decisions predating these past 5 years.

But I also think 2024, despite the lack of wins, was the first step towards getting this club back on its feet - even if we took a necessary step backwards to move forward. It was McQualter’s first year in charge and it was spent identifying what we had and what was needed to improve

Hence, the implementation of what I consider to be a carefully and meticulously designed plan on how to get the best results from our playing list. I can see what they’re trying to do but also accept why some won’t think it’s the right path

If you haven’t already, go watch the Jamie Maddocks interview in the media thread. I’d never heard him speak before, had no knowledge of his existence before he was appointed head of development a year ago and if he sat next to me as I watched a training session I wouldn’t have recognised him.

But I was buoyed by what he had to say. Firstly, despite having not played at AFL level, he was very switched on and his background in coaching is extensive, particularly in development.

He discussed the challenges of developing such a young list and the need to educate them on how to prepare and train to be an AFL player and that he felt we were a long way behind were we needed to be when he arrived. The addition of those SSP players feeds into what he talked about was needed for a young group to learn from. He also said he believed there was significant progress made in how the players were preparing towards the back end of the year which I think might partially explain the retention of the likes of Barnett and Johnston

In short, I get the sense from what he said and what we did in the draft that there is a definite plan. Only time will tell if it’s a good one

As for the specific players you mentioned
• Barnett doesn’t necessarily need to become a best 22 player to justify his retention. He does need to become a consistent, and at times, dominant WAFL player who can at least be competitive if/when he gets a senior game
• Cripps I hope isn’t our leading goal kicker. Ideally he won’t even be in our top 5. In a perfect world he’ll be overtaken as a best 22 player as the year progresses (it would actually be a good thing if Owies steps up to replace him but I digress). That wouldn’t mean keeping him on the list was a mistake because his presence in the WAFL would be very useful
• Schoenberg winning the Samdover would be excellent. It’d mean he’d have served his purpose by and large - helping the younger players to play in a competitive side without taking AFL game minutes away from our developing players

Longer response than I intended sorry but I do try to work out the reasons for club decisions that I might not initially agree with or understand. Spent too long thinking about our draft but think I’ve made peace with it and get what the objectives are

When free agency comes around Banfield can come home

 

[squashface]

Why isnt Wes Walley our cat b

Can't find him

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Suggestions earlier in the thread about some less than professional behaviour during the year.
Apparently he's still club-tied for the next year or two.

I think you try and fix the problem as opposed to run away from it. Its almost like they are so scared to fail they forget to chase successs

 

[Bacchus]

Pies took Angus Anderson from Sturt not long after Banfield came off the board, so I am not surprised that they were into Charlie Banfield, IMO Angus and Charlie have some similar trait that they bring to the game.

What I found annoying ( polite version ), with us not acquiring Banfield, was the huge amount of growth and improvement that he showed post Championships, with each game he just got better and better.

I also am of the opinion that he will continue this trend as he was an emerging accelerating talent in the Colts, the Saints may well have a really good player on their hands after pickpocketing us.

Charlie is a scrapper and wills himself to the contest and invariable wins it, or at least negates it.
He is an old fashioned style player, that puts his head over the ball and wins it at the coal face, because he plays with a hard edge, we don't have too many of that sort.

So when you get the quality of player he was projecting to be, and couple that with him playing with a style and role that we are both in need of and short on, then I would have thought it would have been a no brainer to have made sure that we did what ever was necessary to ensure that he ended up on our list.

Alas, sadly I think he will be the one that got away.

He didn’t get away, we gave him away through ineptitude or arrogance or both. No excuses.

We bound ourselves to a rigid plan which we should not have under the circumstances, that was a number of first and second round picks plus some talented NGA’s and a F/S should have been selected this year. Banfield, Evans and Williams were always going to be bid on by our opponents. We gave two of them away.

The plan should have been adjusted and provision made. It’s a massive fail.