Trade period / National Draft 2024

[_RT_]

 

[Nerflardio2424]

Smilies kicking looks very poor.

 

[THE_GUN]

Im waiting for the next Dusty to make his move and we select him with pick #3

 

[Charlie Pannam]

Any key forwards worth Pick 2?

Bit of a summary from Fox Footy re talls in this year’s draft. The Whitlock twins sound s similar to the King twins ( not the same hype) ,re size and positions they are playing.
Maybe it’s going to be a better draft for talls than expected

BIG BOYS BOLTING

It’s been dubbed a midfield-heavy draft. But recruiters in recent weeks are being buoyed by the emergence of several key-position players pushing their way into first-round – and even top-10 – calculations.

Top of the talls pile is Sandringham Dragons defender Luke Trainor, who at this stage is the early favourite to be the first tall taken in this year’s draft.

A gun 195cm interceptor who looms as a genuine third key back at AFL level, Trainor has put together an eye-catching past six weeks at every level he’s played at and justified the comparisons to Essendon’s Jordan Ridley.

After averaging 20.5 disposals, 5.5 marks and 5.0 rebound 50s from his first two Coates Talent League games for the Dragons, Trainor was a standout for the AFL Academy in their two games against VFL opposition. He won best-on-ground honours against Coburg with 20 disposals and four marks before another impressive outing against Footscray weeks later, finishing with 21 disposals, eight rebound 50s, four marks and one goal.

Scouts, in particular, have been buoyed by Trainor’s bodywork in one-on-one contests, as well as his precise kicking and intercepting.
There’s also ample excitement around 200cm Shepparton twins Jack and Matt Whitlock.

Considered a first-round prospect – possibly top 10 – by many scouts for a while, Jack Whitlock started his 2024 campaign strongly, booting 7.7 and averaging 15.0 disposals and 6.0 marks from his first three Talent League games, before booting two goals against Coburg for the AFL Academy. His early draft prospects have been enhanced by an increase in size and strength, which has helped him become a more ominous presence close to goal.

But Matt Whitlock has also caught the attention of on-lookers lately. With his brother Jack sidelined for the Murray Bushrangers’ clash on the weekend due to a finger injury, Matt was swung from defence into the forward line – and had a day out against the Giants Academy team, booting 5.3 from 14 disposals and seven marks. Recruiters were pleased he had the opportunity to show his wares at the other end of the field – and just as stoked he was able to deliver, consistently presenting up at the ball all game and competing well in the air.

While Matt is still developing his frame, he’s shown greater ball-winning ability this year, averaging 16.0 disposals and 7.0 marks from his four Talent League games.

Bendigo Pioneers’ Jobe Shanahan is also emerging as a serious prospect. A 194cm forward, Shanahan has kicked 7.2 from four Talent League games, including a four-goal haul against the Bushrangers in Round 2. But his workrate stood out against the GWV Rebels on the weekend, finishing with 21 disposals, nine marks and five inside 50s. Shanahan also kicked three goals from the AFL Academy’s two matches against VFL opposition.

Then there’s 199cm Northern Knights prospect Tom Sims, who sits second on the Coates Talent League goalkicking table with 15 goals from five games. His best outing came on the weekend against the Oakleigh Chargers, booting 7.4 from 15 disposals and 10 marks.
The powerful and versatile Sims, who’s also a strong ruck option, plays with great presence on the field and covers the ground well for a player of his size. He’s been named in the Vic Metro squad for this year’s Under 18 championships, where he’ll have a chance to boost his first-round prospects.

And possibly the best ruck of the draft is Giants academy member Logan Smith – a 204cm prospect who looks the real deal with his aerobic capacity and aerial ability. He’s averaged 18.3 disposals, 4.0 marks and 26.7 hit-outs from his three Talent League games so far. Smith shapes as the Allies’ top ruck for the upcoming championships – and looks primed to join a Giants list that already includes two strong rucks in Kieren Briggs and the emerging Nick Madden.

There’s also lots of intrigue around 201cm Lions academy prospect Tom Gillett – a ruck who covers the ground well for his size and can play either back or forward – and 195cm Swans academy defender Joel Cochran, although recruiters are looking forward to seeing how they perform at the national champs.

Then there’s a couple of highly-rated talls sidelined with injury.

A 196cm key defender from the Calder Cannons, Harry O’Farrell looms as a first-round pick, especially for a club in need of a tall back in a midfield class dominated by midfielders. He played the first two Talent League games for the Cannons then impressed for the AFL Academy against Coburg with his strength and defensive nous. He missed the second game against Footscray, though, with a calf complaint.

Noah Mraz, a 198cm key defensive prospect from the Dandenong Stingrays, also looms as an early choice, with North Melbourne, in particular, keeping close tabs on him. He started with exciting performances in his first two Talent League games (24 and 15 disposals) but is back in a moon boot and

 

[THE_GUN]

I reckon we end up with this kid Bendigo Pioneers’ Jobe Shanahan with a later pick

 

[guruisatiger]

He hasn't done one on McLachlan this year which is why I asked

All good

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

Looking at some of the top mids like Finn O'Sullivan and Jagga Smith they don't look like they have much size to handle the big bodied AFL mids. However, I think footy IQ and silky skills will trump all, you can put on size and build endurance but you can't teach instinctive footy IQ and skills. I look back at Sam Walsh and he looked quite skinny, but look at him now. One of Carlton's best midfielders.

I worry that Smilie is only dominating and in contention for the no.1 pick because he's just a big man child that can outmuscle his opponents. Is he just another RCD??

Totally agree!

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

I gather the swans academy aren’t the best opposition, but Finn O’Sullivan absolutely dominating at punt rd

Is a playa! One to pick!
Has pace...vg kick of the footy...can take a grab...smart footy brain and brings others into the game...can tackle...
Gets totally involved with the play...has endurance...with more polish would be exceptional outside mid...confident playa...
Gets a bit yippy on kicking for goal...is slight...needs to build up some protective muscle and size...
Reminds me of that Saints playa Lappin?!? And our overlooked carlton playa retired with hip injuries...

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

Another strong inside mid performance from Langford. His team struggled to cope with the pressure being applied by Tassie, but Langford was able to win stoppages and find enough space to drive his team forward with his penetrating left foot.

Slow start...got stronger as the game went on...is a playa not afraid of the contest!
Good tackler...good size...has a nice touch of the angry pills...definite inside bull...manages to extract or lay his hands first to a contested footy...can take a grab...has endurance...
OK kick at times speculative...could do with an extra half yard of pace to break free of tackles...
If he adds size not sure what it will do to his ok pace now...whether it will slow him down...
Reminds me of that doggies playa that went to the lions?!?!

 

[matt_y106]

I must be missing something with this Smillie kid...

I couldn’t agree more. I don’t see it either. Looks just like Patrick Cripps playing against kids. Big boy, average disposal, minimal defensive efforts and no real standout athletic traits.
Happy to be proven wrong and will hope for the best if we take him. But I’m not seeing the hype.


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[JAKLAUGHING]

I couldn’t agree more. I don’t see it either. Looks just like Patrick Cripps playing against kids. Big boy, average disposal, minimal defensive efforts and no real standout athletic traits.
Happy to be proven wrong and will hope for the best if we take him. But I’m not seeing the hype.


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Feck I hope we don't pick him...we had one just like him in Arnott!

 

[WheelAndDeal]

o'sullivan looks like the best kick and disposal of them all

long way to go but hope we take either him or jagga at 2 presumably

 

[tigs2010]

o'sullivan looks like the best kick and disposal of them all

long way to go but hope we take either him or jagga at 2 presumably

Leaning same way. Add some class to the midfield of TT, Hopper, McAuliffe

 

[living_in_syd]

Looking at some of the top mids like Finn O'Sullivan and Jagga Smith they don't look like they have much size to handle the big bodied AFL mids. However, I think footy IQ and silky skills will trump all, you can put on size and build endurance but you can't teach instinctive footy IQ and skills. I look back at Sam Walsh and he looked quite skinny, but look at him now. One of Carlton's best midfielders.

I worry that Smilie is only dominating and in contention for the no.1 pick because he's just a big man child that can outmuscle his opponents. Is he just another RCD??

Rcd was a stab in the dark.. never got it much at tac level.. grew last minute and everyone thought he had bont traits. Worth a try at pur late first pick so cant really blame us..

 

[SleepingGiant]

We need everything atm, with KPP's most critical given they take longer to develop.

 

[Bird Man]

Is there a no-brainer 1st pick like Harley or JHF?

 

[Bird Man]

We need everything atm, with KPP's most critical given they take longer to develop.

Get as many mids as you can to be the engine and then buy the KPPs later

 

[Profop]

Is there a no-brainer 1st pick like Harley or JHF?

Doesn’t seem to be this year. More even

 

[noobermensch]

Jagga "The Lone Ranger" Smith continues to play exceptional football in a team that routinely coughs up big losses. His defensive efforts were an improvement on last week, and his stoppage craft was as elite as always as he sliced through congestion with decisive and attacking intent. His kicking was his typical mixed bag, starting off with some nice spot up targets hit and then seeming to degenerate at the game went on.

 

[SleepingGiant]

Get as many mids as you can to be the engine and then buy the KPPs later

Very hard to buy the KPPs. They don't grow on trees and Lynch is the only buying I have seen of elite quality without the club paying for it (Jeremy Cameron cost a bomb still). Midfielders grow on trees and there are always quality ones up for grabs. We still need to draft mids at the elite A+ grade end but KPP talent at the elite level is best drafted (Rance, Riewoldt, Astbury etc.) and takes a while to develop.

 

[copthat]

Smith reminds me a bit of Butters. Slight build with a turn of speed.

 

[WheelAndDeal]

Smith reminds me a bit of Butters. Slight build with a turn of speed.

was about to say this

also prefers to find the short option a lot instead of bombing it long

 

[Morro]

Smith reminds me a bit of Butters. Slight build with a turn of speed.

is he as tough? Butters in an animal. One of my fav no Tigers.

 

[NZ_Tiger]

I know things seem dire at the moment and the thrill of having a heap of R1 picks is tempting, but can we stop trying to trade off everyone who plays a poor game or might have value at the trade table.

If you think things are bad now, imagine what it would be like becoming the next North Melbourne being competitive for half a game at most week after week and becoming a club that is no longer a destination club.

For mine our best course is to sign as many of our experienced players as possible, even those that some supporters label as being no good and only trade out those that want out or aren't worth paying what they're asking for in new deals.

I believe that we have the core of a good list, it's just hard to see it at present given the injuries to key players. However when we do get those players back and we can start playing with a proper structure and players in their best roles we will quickly turn things around.

You only need to look back to the start of the season to see that we can be competitive against good sides with our best team on the park. Rounds 2-4 we matched it with Carlton for 4 quarters, Port for 3 quarters and beat an undefeated Swans side, who haven't lost since then and that was while we were still getting to understand Yzes game plan.

With some sound list management decisions and a bit of good fortune with injuries there is plenty of reason to be bullish for 2025 even though we're currently 17th and look as bad as we have for a long time.

You missed the part about salary cap implications if we trade off all our players. We then need to pay huge sums to average players to make the cap.


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[Charlie Pannam]

We need everything atm, with KPP's most critical given they take longer to develop.

Hoping the talls, such as Whitlock/s blitz in the 2nd half of the season including the National Championships and then the draft combine.
That’d open the draft right up, and create some tough decisions for Norf.

I’d love an A grade kpf in the draft, but definitely not worth reaching with our first pick. Best available as always .

 

[Bojangles17]

You're not.

Racking up huge numbers and is massive for a mid but comparisons to someone like Tom Green are well wide of the mark and ignore what makes Green so good such as his ability to draw opponents and then release to the players on the outside. Smillie is more a run of the mill midfield who can find it but won't hurt you in the same way the elite midfielders can.

Finn O'Sullivan is the no.1 player in the draft.

Yea I’m thinking the more astute pic might be smith or FOS