What do we need from the draft?

[StFly]

EDIT: I just found out that Lovett wants to leave the Bombers. I'd be happy to do a deal involving our first rounder to get him. At his best he is a freak and could compliment our team very nicely. Anybody else interested?

2nd/3rd rounder and/or player swap would probably be as best we can do since you'd think we'd use out first pick. Essendon might also be open to the fact considering there is a mini gulf between their kids and their senior talent, so someone around the 24-25 mark would replace the gulf Lovett would make in the swap.

After that I'd go for extreme pace. Geary, Armo and Steven all provide the grunt so we need our next Montagna/Dal Santo to compliment.

Tungatalum is a speedy little thing, Steven and Geary also aren't slouches either but we are lite on for someone with explosive pace who can break the lines. There is also the prospect of someone like Danyle Pearce who also isn't a slouch when it comes to straight line speed (when hes not being a lazy sob)

Third pick I'd look for a ruckman if one is available. Round 2 and 3 could be swapped if there is a good prospect. With Kingy and Gards both getting on and Big Mac the only option, we need to get some back up for Stanley in the 2's.

Big mac - Stanley - Bigger Mac. Given Bigger Mac was a NSW Scholarship player we could get lucky and find another raw ruckman from there so it entirely depends on that manner what we do with the current list. At this stage you'd probably be looking at best available if the draft is as shallow as people keep saying, especially if the first pick is also a ruckman type.

Then I'd be thinking about Daw. Unless someone has fallen a long way I don't think it would be much of a stretch to take a kid like Daw in what is supposedly a shallow draft.

It will be interesting to see who goes at the end of the year. Dawson will be put on the senior list and Allen is gone. I'd assume Max will retire and L.Fisher and Howard could be in trouble.

Better to just focus on next week and worry about winning a prelim I hope

I can probably only see us using 3-4 picks in the draft and rotating the rookie / scholarship lists more so than we have been. I honestly can't see how Fish keeps a spot on the list considering he's not used irregardless of how he goes in the pre season as he tore it up this year and subsequently spent the entirety of it at Sandy for the 2nd year running.

Allen gone, Eljay in trouble, Max most probably going if the weekend is any indication along with Fish would give 4 list spots already including Dawsons promotion (since we weren't at max allowable players anyway), Howard, Haretuku and Miles needing decisions could bring 3 spots on the rookie list as well.

I'd be happy with Daw on the list though since really he could be anything at this stage and if it works out it could only mean big things as far as the Saints are concerned both on the park and in the media. Especially considering by the end of next year we should then be in our new home or close enough to it. (I think)

Plus how could you not go for Daw when sponsored by Jeld Wen? The new Majak Daw door would sell like hotcakes!

 

[Squizz]

Does anyone know much about our current NSW scholarship players?

Haven't heard much about Kane Murphy lately, although he was very young when identified (had 3 years IIRC). EDIT - plays for St Ignatius in the U/18s (13 games, 9 times in best, 19 goals). Turns 17 in December.

Josh Duncan was well performed at the U/18 championship, so would appear to be a sound prospect. Has played 5 senior games with Pennant Hills (4 times in the best).

Jackson Ferguson recently said "“It felt good being the first team. Being out there singing the anthem, I was pretty proud,” he said. The Parramatta centre is on a scholarship with St Kilda but said nothing would make him prouder than playing for western Sydney and “showing what we got”. “It would be good to represent where I’m from,” he said.

Maybe we won't get too excited with him. Has played five U/18 games (once in best with 6 goals) and one senior game in the premier division.

Ted Widmer is a relatively new signing (evidently was an elite rower). Has kicked quite a few goals in the U/18s (including 4, 5 and 7 goals in a month). Went up to the seniors and was in the best in his first game.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Andrew Lovett is OK, but our team is going to hit a wall in a couple of years, where all of our top players will be getting past it at the same time. Another player in this age group ( born 1982 ) will only make us hit that little bit harder. We shouldn't take anymore players over the age of 23 or so.

 

[Cuz2Plugger]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/84520/default.aspx


Scholarship for Magic Daw.

We want him yes?

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Haven't heard much about Kane Murphy lately, although he was very young when identified (had 3 years IIRC). EDIT - plays for St Ignatius in the U/18s (13 games, 9 times in best, 19 goals). Turns 17 in December.

Josh Duncan was well performed at the U/18 championship, so would appear to be a sound prospect. Has played 5 senior games with Pennant Hills (4 times in the best).

Jackson Ferguson recently said "“It felt good being the first team. Being out there singing the anthem, I was pretty proud,” he said. The Parramatta centre is on a scholarship with St Kilda but said nothing would make him prouder than playing for western Sydney and “showing what we got”. “It would be good to represent where I’m from,” he said.

Maybe we won't get too excited with him. Has played five U/18 games (once in best with 6 goals) and one senior game in the premier division.

Ted Widmer is a relatively new signing (evidently was an elite rower). Has kicked quite a few goals in the U/18s (including 4, 5 and 7 goals in a month). Went up to the seniors and was in the best in his first game.

Sound like a reasonable lot.
Widmer and Ferguson are the taller oness but I don't like our chances of getting Feguson if he wants to end up at Sydney.
Widmir is interesting, he finished his HSC at age 17, so we could bring him on down easy enough if we wanted to Rookie him.
Kane Murphy sounds good, and the scholarship overrides the father/son he could have with the Swans.

 

[hayes]

With Lenny getting up there in age and Ball possibly getting traded or spending most of his days in the twos I think we could use another inside midfielder. Having Armitage does help this but I think we could use a couple more.

 

[jackmac7]

Young Mids-

Geary, Steven, Armitage, Connors and Alistair Smith...................not many me thinks.

Young Forwards-

Lynch, Tunga, Cahill, Eddy, Heyne.

Young Ruck-

McEvoy, McGrath and Stanley.

Young Defenders-

Asides from Gilbert and Dawson who are both playing we don't have much else coming through.



DRAFT 09'-

Firstly, No more rucks thanks. Took Tom Lynch with our first pick last year as a medium half forward who takes grabs and kicks goals which is something we have lacked since Sammy Hammill.

We need some speedy midfielders. Would love nothing more then an Indigenous talent running along the wing like lovett, Stephen Hill or Winmar with real skill. We need some more ball carriers because Gram and Joey are not going to get any faster. Steven, Geary and Armo are tough contested mids with the exception of Geary's running ability that hopefully comes of age Unknown Al Smith is about it being fairly quick and good by foot. X. Clarke has been that missing outside player that we desire due to injury ruined seasons. Here is some of the really exciting Indigenous talent on offer this Draft-

Deon Gordon (NT Thunder)
Height: 185cm, Weight: 87kg, DOB: April 2, 1991
Recruited from: Saint Mary's, NTFL
Natural footballer with clean hands and intimate feel for the game. Exceptional kicking skills are a distinct strength. NT U18 representative in 2009.

Nicholas Winmar (Claremont, WA)
Height: 190cm, Weight: 78kg, Weight: April 27, 1991
Recruited from: Scarborough, WAAFL
Versatile player with strong athletic ability and clean hands overhead and at ground level. Western Australia U18 representative in 2009.

Bryon Sumner (Eagles, SANFL)
Height: 174cm, Weight: 68kg, DOB: May 16, 1991
Recruited from: Woodville South
Quick and clever midfielder with penetrating left foot. Evasiveness and clean hands overhead are two of his strengths. Performed very well for SA at NAB AFL U18 Championships.

Allen Christensen (Geelong Falcons, Vic.)
Height: 176cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: May 19, 1991
Recruited from: Lara
Prolific ball-winner who amasses plenty of contested possessions. Sound decision-maker who is extremely clever around goals. Vic Country U18 representative in 2009.

Lewis Jetta (Swan Districts, WAFL)
Height: 178cm, Weight: 72kg, DOB: May 4, 1989
Recruited from: Bridgetown
Extremely quick player who provides great run and carry. Team-oriented with clean hands and great agility. Can play a variety of positions.

Troy Taylor (NT Thunder, NT)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: September 12, 1991
Recruited from: South Alice Springs, CAFL
Agile footballer with clean skills by hand and foot. Second efforts, ball-winning ability and marking are also features of his game. Northern Territory U18 representative in 2009.

Mitchell Taylor (NT Thunder, NT)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: October 6, 1990
Recruited from: Wanderers, NTFL
Rebounding defender with ability to win his own ball. Agility and competitiveness are both highlights of his game. Northern Territory U18 representative in 2009.



A back up Tall forward is also on the cards with the unfortunate retirement of Allen. Cahill has potential but spent all year in the reserves and is very raw and is still a long way off. I reckon we will take a quick midfielder first round because we need one more so there might not be much on offer in the 2nd round as it looks like a midfielders draft that doesn't run too deep.

A small defender and quick rebounding defender are also on the cards.

#17- Lewis Jetta (Speed, exceptional skills)

#32- Nicholas Winmar (versatile wingman)

#48- Mark Hutchings (solid mid/def reminds me of Birchall from Hawks)

or

#17 Aaron Black (key Forward, WA state side)

#32 Nicholas Winmar

#48 Troy Taylor

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

Nicholas Winmar (Claremont, WA)
Height: 190cm, Weight: 78kg, Weight: April 27, 1991
Recruited from: Scarborough, WAAFL
Versatile player with strong athletic ability and clean hands overhead and at ground level. Western Australia U18 representative in 2009.

Another Nicky Winmar for St Kilda, please !

If he is just half of Neil Elvis (not his son, unfortunately, but apparently a cousin), we have a new club hero !

(no pressure, Nicky, no pressure)

 

[Squizz]

Young Mids-

Geary, Steven, Armitage, Connors and Alistair Smith...................not many me thinks.

Kane Murphy (16 yo) and Josh Duncan (18 yo) seem well performed in their age bracket. Horse will be a mid in time (well performed in that role at VFL level).

 

[Cuz2Plugger]

Another Nicky Winmar for St Kilda, please !

If he is just half of Neil Elvis (not his son, unfortunately, but apparently a cousin), we have a new club hero !

(no pressure, Nicky, no pressure)

Sign him up under the uncle nephew rule, cousin cousin rule? Extended family rule?

 

[AFaiL]

Just noticed our big lack of true inside midfielder.

At least armo is guaranteed to be kept and played a heap in 2010 onwards

#1 priority is an inside mid. Lenny is very important, we need someone coming through

Dont think we need an outside player much. Dont forget we still have X, i think ifhe hadnt been injured this season, he would have hit his straps like half our team did.

We are ok in rebounding back

No FF coming through

Ample rucks..

Ok on KPP backs. Thanks, Hawks lol

 

[AFLOnline]

Farren Priest would be a great pick up in my opinion. Just what we need.

 

[AFLOnline]

Man Magic Daws just looks so cool in his hit outs.

 

[jackmac7]

Yeah that Sud looks like he can really play. Raw like Natinui but brilliant leap and hands.

He could be a real surprise in the draft. Scary to think he has just picked up the game. He knows what he's doing to. And with a name like MAJAK you can already see a cult following and catchy headlines.

MAGIC stuff

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

Farren Priest would be a great pick up in my opinion. Just what we need.

And we can lay claim to the only two Farren's to every play AFL!

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

And we can lay claim to the only two Farren's to every play AFL!

This is Farren to Farren. Whatcha doin out there man?!

 

[StFly]

Damn hippies. If it's not with a Ray it's with a Priest.

Drugs are bad kiddies, but not as bad as when done in the 60's.

 

[CHBench]

Draft Camp starts today.
Now that the season is over, it's easier to gage what we need to move on to bigger and better things in 2010.

Obviously what we were lacking, particulary in the finals series was explosive pace and that ROK type medium forward to take the pressure off Riewoldt and Kosi. Another Kp won't go astray, and we'll need another Small Defender to take over the reigns from Baker. With us looking like we won't take part in tradeweek very much Lynch, Steven, Geary and Armitage look like the players to step up in to the 22.

The shallow draft is particulary shallow on KP players. John Butcher for example, has had a terrible year but is still touted to go top 5. Matthew Panos was eligible for last years draft but failed to get picked up, now he's a certainty to go in the 1st round after a fairly good 2009. If we're going to go for a KP, best we do it with our first round. Cause there's not much else after.

Lewis Jetta (Swan Districts, WA)
Height: 178cm, Weight: 72kg, DOB: 04/05/89
Recruited from: Bridgetown
Extremely quick player who provides great run and carry. Team-oriented with clean hands and great agility. Can play a variety of positions.

Im officially starting the motion for Lewis Jetta @ 16. Mature aged, ready to play AFL straight away, explosive, skillful. Unlikely to go top 10 because of his age. BUT he's stating his preferences. He wants to play for West Coast or Melbourne. They defintiley won't pick him with their first picks. I say draft him and tell him to suck it up, getting drafted will probably spur a change of heart.

Allen Christensen (Geelong Falcons, VIC)
Height: 176cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 19/05/91
Recruited from: Lara
Prolific ball winner who amasses plenty of contested possessions. Sound decision-maker who is extremely clever around goals. Vic Country U18 representative in 2009.

Might be a bit small, but his pace and ball winning ability would be a big tick in our game plan. He can kick goals too.

Jordan Gysberts (Eastern Ranges, VIC)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 11/06/91
Recruited from: Yarra Valley Grammar
Smart midfielder who wins plenty of his own ball. Rarely fumbles and uses the ball effectively by both hand and foot. Can go forward and kick goals. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2008/09. AIS-AFL Academy graduate

Remind you of anyone?

Gary Rohan (Geelong Falcons, VIC)
Height: 186cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: 07/06/91
Recruited from: Cobden
Explosive half-forward who is extremely capable in the air. Defensive pressure a highlight. Won Vic Country’s MVP award as well as All-Australian honours at NAB AFL U18 Championships.

He won't slide far enough, pity.

Daniel Talia (Calder Cannons, VIC)
Height: 194cm, Weight: 89kg, DOB: 02/10/91
Recruited from: Assumption College
Versatile key position player who can play well at either end of the ground. Clean hands and great endurance for his size are strengths. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2009, winning All-Australian honours.

If we're going to go for a KP, this is the one. Might not reach us though.

Aaron Black (Peel Thunder, WA)
Height: 193cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 29/11/90
Recruited from: Kingsley
Athletic key forward whose excellent hands are a feature. Agility and awareness are also strengths. Western Australia U18 representative in 2009.

Late season bolter, like 2009's own version of Mitch Brown. Saints keeping an eye on him.

Nicholas Winmar (Claremont, WA)
Height: 190cm, Weight: 78kg, Weight: 27/04/91
Recruited from: Scarborough
Versatile player with strong athletic ability and clean hands overhead and at ground level. Western Australia U18 representative in 2009.

Pick 32, we have to, surely.

Look out for Kallen Geary too.

 

[Half Back Pocket]

Jordan Gysberts (Eastern Ranges, VIC)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 11/06/91
Recruited from: Yarra Valley Grammar
Smart midfielder who wins plenty of his own ball. Rarely fumbles and uses the ball effectively by both hand and foot. Can go forward and kick goals. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2008/09. AIS-AFL Academy graduate

Remind you of anyone?

Hmmm... BJ I'd say. sounds like a promising young player.

 

[Squizz]

John Peake seems fairly confident that there will be a player St Kilda wants with our first round pick. He obviously wants to use it, but will depend on what the trade week shakes out.

Has also indicated that clubs (I assume this is code for the Saints) might go for need rather than best available.

Would not complain if another Rhys Stanley or Jack Steven was available (these guys were both picks in the 40s so shows the value of talent identification).

 

[goodie23]

Gysberts, Rohan or Talia for 16. Don't like the sound of Jetta, bit rich for a mature ager to be stating a preference. If he doesn't want to be with us then I don't want him.

Morabito didn't test due to a quad injury. Can always hope a miracle happens and he slides to us. C'mon other clubs, he's not worth the risk.

Winmar and Geary also sound like promising options

 

[Squizz]

Hmmm... BJ I'd say. sounds like a promising young player.

I was going to say we don't have one of these. BJ is a shocking handballer in traffic!

Lenny : smart - tick, uses it well both hand and foot - tick, goes forward and kicks goals - urk.

Dal : smart - tick, uses it well both hand and foot - tick, goes forward and kicks goals - urk.

Monty : smart - hmmm, uses it well both hand and foot - tick, goes forward and kicks goals - double urk.

Sign the boy up.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

I was pretty hopefull at the start of the season.
We had a regular plethora of players falling over each other to kick goals.
Gardiner, DalSanto , Joey, Gram, even Zac had a go.

Later in the season it reverted back to the same old kick to a triple teamed Riewold we have seen in the past ( and not a crumber to be seen when the ball goes to ground ).

DalSanto and Joey can kick a goal as much as well as anyone can but it needs to be part of the game plan.

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

I'd say Dal. He's a very reliable kick too. Second West Coast game anyone?

 

[Squizz]

Maybe the pundits were right about the standard of this year's draft. Given the talk regarding the absence of quality talls, you'd think there would be a few nippy types around.

Heard the best time was a 2.88 in the 20m - as a comparison, Steve Gaertner ran that at 199cm. Atkinson supposedly ran a 2.73 at Essendon (Jetta, Davey and Dempsey have run 2.75), and Pearce ran 2.79 at draft camp (record).

Winmar ranked equal second in kicking efficiency, but this test sounds pretty dodgy.