Strategy What to do with pick 1 now we’ve got it - Do We Need Reid or is it Curtins

[Dylan82]

I've had enough of all of these kents already.

Nothing would satisfy me more right now than drafting H.Reid and watch him kick a bag against the tin-rattlers.


And anyone else wanting to entertain splitting the pick in this massively compromised draft needs to give themselves an uppercut as well.

 

[bzparkes]

I think it's a fair concern tbh.

Culley was second to the ball on far too many occasions this season - look at his tackle stats.

Maybe he could make it as a defensive midfielder, but we've already got the quicker, classier Ginbey in that role.

If he gets a fair crack in the middle next year, he needs to start winning his own ball, making space and accumulating. I can't see him making it as a forward.

Hard to say in a side that was getting belted every week he played.

Ideally he was a few WAFL games to build form/confidence(if not ready to go for round 1, reports are he should be back early from ACL).

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

Complain for years we're a team that can't tackle

Complain about the one that can tackle.

 

[Barrybran]

It’s because he was talked up as mid the whole time and when played in the guts, he struggled to get the footy. It was only when we played him forward he started to find the footy and showed some unexpected forward ability.
For me he doesn’t get enough of it in the middle at the moment, and is too slow to be there without the ball in his hands ( ala Sheed/Priddis) so unless something changes I’d keep playing him forward.

Culley didn't get the footy because he seemed to not know where to be. He looks more natural as a forward.

 

[amazingjoshy]

It’s because he was talked up as mid the whole time and when played in the guts, he struggled to get the footy. It was only when we played him forward he started to find the footy and showed some unexpected forward ability.
For me he doesn’t get enough of it in the middle at the moment, and is too slow to be there without the ball in his hands ( ala Sheed/Priddis) so unless something changes I’d keep playing him forward.

He's played 9 games, and not even a handful of them in the middle

We could maybe give him more of an opportunity before giving up on him but maybe that's just me

 

[GlennTwenty]

Complain for years we're a team that can't tackle

Complain about the one that can tackle.

Ideally of course we woulld have some players that are capable of tackling and finding the footy occasionally...

 

[BartBart]

Ideally of course we woulld have some players that are capable of tackling and finding the footy occasionally...

I hear there might be one at pick 1 in the draft

 

[eaglesnutcase]

I think it's a fair concern tbh.

Culley was second to the ball on far too many occasions this season - look at his tackle stats.

Maybe he could make it as a defensive midfielder, but we've already got the quicker, classier Ginbey in that role.

If he gets a fair crack in the middle next year, he needs to start winning his own ball, making space and accumulating. I can't see him making it as a forward.

Don’t agree. He was surprisingly strong overhead..He also showed good footy smarts with ball in hand. Unfortunately Maric is a similar player but I suspect; better

 

[ROO DOGG]

Wait wait wait Gold Coast actually have a board??

Card board

 

[Yeahnahmate]

I think it’s going to click for Culley once he gets a longer run at it and gets his confidence up. Could be an amazing player in the end imo

 

[ghostbat12]

I think it’s going to click for Culley once he gets a longer run at it and gets his confidence up. Could be an amazing player in the end imo

he has a long way to go to show that he will make it, let alone be amazing.

 

[Sammy J]

People being way too harsh on Culley. He’s shown plenty for a 9 gamer.

Anyway, this is a Reid and draft thread. I feel like this and the contract one are just merging into one big shitfight.

 

[Barrybran]

People being way too harsh on Culley. He’s shown plenty for a 9 gamer.

Anyway, this is a Reid and draft thread. I feel like this and the contract one are just merging into one big shitfight.

Who's fighting? We're all in agreeance that we're taking Reid at 1 so we've all moved on.

 

[Eddie_Sandbrah]

Pretty confident we're taking Harley.


1. He's the best kid in the draft. Some say the best kid at this age ever. To not take him would be incompetent.
2. McKercher and Sanders are a Tasmanian flight risk. Curtin is a CHB. Watson is a wizard. None of these players are the types you should spend a top 5 pick on.
3. When you get to Duursma and Caddy, it's starting to get Captain Risky. Could be A graders, but equally could be those frustrating players who show glimpses but never get consistency.
4. After Reid, Walter, McKercher, Curtin, Watson, Duursma, Sanders, Read, it drops off. The only players we really want (or are available to us) in that lot are Reid, Curtin, McKercher.
5. Flag teams are typically built around midfields. Hewett and Ginbey look promising, Culley and Chesser are maybes. We should not be spending top 5 picks for anything other than a midfielder (unless a Jed Walter type is available).
6. The flight risk issue is largely a myth. The Tassie boys are risks, maybe those twin flogs Watson and Caddy are risks, but we have to back ourselves.
7. No club is likely to be offer a Godfather deal. A deal would need minimum, one of Curtin or McKercher and then some top picks on top. North may have it, but if they have 2 and 3, they're better off with Curtin and McKercher. Not taking Reid is not near as big a deal for them as it is us. Those other clubs offering a top 5 pick with a glass of skim milk can GTFO.
8. This idea that multiple picks make it quicker to rebuild is flawed. Hawks did it and nailed it, but you can easily get it wrong and end up with a midfield like Essendon's that doesn't cut it (not saying they took multiple top 10 picks in the same year, just saying if you build a midfield that can't compete with the best, you may as well pack it in).


I'll be gobsmacked if we don't take Harley Reid. I doubt our recruiting team have any intention of trading him, and are probably thinking, "we'll take him unless North offer us 2 and 3". I just don't see any other club being in a position to come up with something suitable.

As for the Vic media, some of these guys should have their credibility called out. "Open for business", "they should take multiple picks", "they need a replacement for Hurn", "they need quantity" etc. It's simply laughable and they should be questioned what has made them think and speak so irrationally.

And as for who Reid players like:

Isaac Heeney

5

Isaac Heeney

Age

29

Ht

185cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.2

5star

K

10.4

4star

HB

7.7

5star

M

4.9

5star

T

4.1

5star

CL

2.2

4star

D

14.3

3star

K

8.8

4star

HB

5.5

3star

M

4.8

4star

T

2.5

3star

CL

0.8

3star

D

10.4

3star

K

7.2

3star

HB

3.2

3star

M

2.8

3star

T

2.4

4star

CL

0.8

3star

but beastier. Heeney/Trac love child.

 

[ghostbat12]

You can’t have someone offer a bounty unless there is a frenzy in media and fear of missing out kicks in.

Whilst it sucks to listen to it, you need speculation or some propaganda to engage the right weak minded individual to dump everything on us so they can have Reid.

I’m confident that a deal cannot happen unless it’s too good to refuse. Otherwise there is too much risk for WCE and offer has to reflect perceived risk.

 

[Bacchus]

Pretty confident we're taking Harley.


1. He's the best kid in the draft. Some say the best kid at this age ever. To not take him would be incompetent.
2. McKercher and Sanders are a Tasmanian flight risk. Curtin is a CHB. Watson is a wizard. None of these players are the types you should spend a top 5 pick on.
3. When you get to Duursma and Caddy, it's starting to get Captain Risky. Could be A graders, but equally could be those frustrating players who show glimpses but never get consistency.
4. After Reid, Walter, McKercher, Curtin, Watson, Duursma, Sanders, Read, it drops off. The only players we really want (or are available to us) in that lot are Reid, Curtin, McKercher.
5. Flag teams are typically built around midfields. Hewett and Ginbey look promising, Culley and Chesser are maybes. We should not be spending top 5 picks for anything other than a midfielder (unless a Jed Walter type is available).
6. The flight risk issue is largely a myth. The Tassie boys are risks, maybe those twin flogs Watson and Caddy are risks, but we have to back ourselves.
7. No club is likely to be offer a Godfather deal. A deal would need minimum, one of Curtin or McKercher and then some top picks on top. North may have it, but if they have 2 and 3, they're better off with Curtin and McKercher. Not taking Reid is not near as big a deal for them as it is us. Those other clubs offering a top 5 pick with a glass of skim milk can GTFO.
8. This idea that multiple picks make it quicker to rebuild is flawed. Hawks did it and nailed it, but you can easily get it wrong and end up with a midfield like Essendon's that doesn't cut it (not saying they took multiple top 10 picks in the same year, just saying if you build a midfield that can't compete with the best, you may as well pack it in).


I'll be gobsmacked if we don't take Harley Reid. I doubt our recruiting team have any intention of trading him, and are probably thinking, "we'll take him unless North offer us 2 and 3". I just don't see any other club being in a position to come up with something suitable.

As for the Vic media, some of these guys should have their credibility called out. "Open for business", "they should take multiple picks", "they need a replacement for Hurn", "they need quantity" etc. It's simply laughable and they should be questioned what has made them think and speak so irrationally.

And as for who Reid players like:

Isaac Heeney but beastier. Heeney/Trac love child.

Brilliant, great summation and analysis.

Agree with all of it except possibly for the last comparison bit.
I think he will be a bigger and better and more versatile player than Isaac Heeney.

 

[flyinghi64]

Just take Reid.
To be honest I would be more looking at swapping 19 for a couple of 2nd rounders.
or 19 and future 1st for ready made player we need and a couple of good picks.

When do you decide you have drafted the players you need to build the team around and fill the gaps with 22-25 year olds traded in?

FWIW Watson will be a high light reel when he starts playing AFL but we have a young fella over here that could be picked up mid-late 2nd round, possibly early 3rd, in Sanchez who has similar qualities and knows where the goals are. Would help to transition "NED" Long into the midfield as well.

 

[Westend]

Pretty confident we're taking Harley.


1. He's the best kid in the draft. Some say the best kid at this age ever. To not take him would be incompetent.
2. McKercher and Sanders are a Tasmanian flight risk. Curtin is a CHB. Watson is a wizard. None of these players are the types you should spend a top 5 pick on.
3. When you get to Duursma and Caddy, it's starting to get Captain Risky. Could be A graders, but equally could be those frustrating players who show glimpses but never get consistency.
4. After Reid, Walter, McKercher, Curtin, Watson, Duursma, Sanders, Read, it drops off. The only players we really want (or are available to us) in that lot are Reid, Curtin, McKercher.
5. Flag teams are typically built around midfields. Hewett and Ginbey look promising, Culley and Chesser are maybes. We should not be spending top 5 picks for anything other than a midfielder (unless a Jed Walter type is available).
6. The flight risk issue is largely a myth. The Tassie boys are risks, maybe those twin flogs Watson and Caddy are risks, but we have to back ourselves.
7. No club is likely to be offer a Godfather deal. A deal would need minimum, one of Curtin or McKercher and then some top picks on top. North may have it, but if they have 2 and 3, they're better off with Curtin and McKercher. Not taking Reid is not near as big a deal for them as it is us. Those other clubs offering a top 5 pick with a glass of skim milk can GTFO.
8. This idea that multiple picks make it quicker to rebuild is flawed. Hawks did it and nailed it, but you can easily get it wrong and end up with a midfield like Essendon's that doesn't cut it (not saying they took multiple top 10 picks in the same year, just saying if you build a midfield that can't compete with the best, you may as well pack it in).


I'll be gobsmacked if we don't take Harley Reid. I doubt our recruiting team have any intention of trading him, and are probably thinking, "we'll take him unless North offer us 2 and 3". I just don't see any other club being in a position to come up with something suitable.

As for the Vic media, some of these guys should have their credibility called out. "Open for business", "they should take multiple picks", "they need a replacement for Hurn", "they need quantity" etc. It's simply laughable and they should be questioned what has made them think and speak so irrationally.

And as for who Reid players like:

Isaac Heeney but beastier. Heeney/Trac love child.

162 pages and we finale get the best post of the lot....every point made full agreement

100% brilliant post nails it

Well done Eddie close the thread please and do this above

 

[Forward Press]

The rationale of trading out pick 1 for multiple picks is sound especially if we have lots of retirements and delistings (we already have at least four with plenty more on the way as we turf out uncontracted players that didn't cut the mustard).

However, that rationale is also dependent on us say having pick 1 and nothing else until pick 50, where we'd then need somewhat decent picks to help round off the list. We have all of our picks plus a couple of Port's and we will need all of them to reload pending retirements and delistings, and there are only possibly two recruits we may add to our list from other clubs.

Ideas that we'd bundle pick 1 and our lower picks to get pick 5 and Roberston and Brockman over are fanciful - probably fed by Victorian media that are desperate for a possible generational talent to remain in Victoria.

 

[Hook461123]

Had to have a bit of a chuckle at this one.

 

[Eddie_Sandbrah]

I guarantee, when it comes to draft night, there's not going to be a single Eagles supporter who will want to turn back the clock and win another game in season 2023. I also guarantee, there won't be a single North supporter saying, "f-yeah! that win against Gold Coast is so much more valuable!".

Unless some crazy stuff happens, we draft Harley along with 5 or so other kids. Maybe that includes Dev and Brockman. Then we put games into them. Hewett, Ginbey, Culley, Long, Baydog, Chesser, Hough, Bazzo, Barnet, Williams, Reid and a few other kids/players we draft.

I expect next year to see both green shoots and inconsistency. If we could keep the 90pt losses to 2, win 5 or 6 games, and start to see a new look team, we're doing okay.

 

[twce13]

I’m genuinely surprised JHF doesnt come into the Reid comparisons more regularly.

A lot of similar things said before he was drafted.

SNAPSHOT: "A midfielder with next to no weaknesses whose power bodes well for tough ball winning and impressive aerial marking, as well as damaging scoreboard impact."

Regarded by many as premier talent of the 2021 draft class, Jason Horne-Francis is one of the most complete prospects in recent memory. The South Australian midfielder entered the season with lofty expectations having already made his League debut as a 17-year-old. The pick of the bunch at every level he’s played at, Horne-Francis took his game to new heights this season with South Adelaide. A model of consistency throughout the campaign in a variety of roles, Horne-Francis shone on Preliminary Final night, booting three goals (and three behinds) from 24 disposals (18 contested) and 11 clearances to claim best on ground honours.

His side was beaten, but attention in the aftermath focused on the sensational teenager's blistering showing at Adelaide Oval. It was the performance which saw him firm as the likely favoured target of North Melbourne with pick number one. Named captain of the South Australian Under 19 team, Horne-Francis’ League commitments restricted him to just one match in the tricolours - against Western Australia in Perth. However, he was awarded All-Australian honours and was crowned South Australia’s MVP when he captained his state at the Under 16 National Championships in 2019.

STRENGTHS:

• Contested ball
• Defensive effort
• Scoreboard impact
• Explosiveness
• Physicality
• Competitiveness
• Overhead marking

IMPROVEMENT:

• Kicking consistency
• Outside game

Horne-Francis is very capable of winning a game off his own boot and at 184cm, he is a medium-sized midfielder who packs a punch. The 18-year-old plays with physicality, imposing himself on the contest and the opposition through his repeat efforts at ground level. The midfielder enjoys the rough, in-and-under side of the game where his natural aggression shines through. He hunts the footy, tackles with intent and hits the ball at speed. His tackling technique is particularly terrific, pinning the arms and bringing the opponent to ground with ferocity. This, along with his smothering closing speed makes for an intimidating combination. Not one to back down or shy away from the tough stuff, he is a natural contested ball winner who proved himself on the inside at SANFL League level by winning 18 contested possessions in the preliminary final. He has showed an ability to burst away from congestion, shrug off would-be tacklers and stream forward with intent.

The South Adelaide prospect, who has spent the year working after finishing his schooling last year, compliments his hard edge with an ability to push forward, where his overhead marking has been a staple. He is damaging one-on-one and can fly from just about anywhere in a pack. Horne-Francis is the type of player who will send opposition defences into a frenzy when sent forward, not dissimilar to the aura which surrounds Richmond Dustin Martinwhen the Tigers throw him into attack. The teenager has booted 20 goals in 29 league matches, including a couple of hauls of three. He is clever in the forward-50, has a very natural goal sense and, importantly, is prepared to back himself in and pull the trigger when within range. Not one to just rest inside 50, Horne-Francis is also capable of working high up the ground and using his speed on the way back.

Although he didn’t fully test at the South Australian draft combine, Horne-Francis possesses a sound athletic profile without an obvious weakness. He has the acceleration and sustained speed to be able to break away from a contest, the leap to worry opposition defenders, and the endurance required to become an elite midfielder at the highest level. Horne-Francis is efficient by foot, measuring out his targets and hitting them with the appropriate level of depth. He has terrific special awareness at stoppages and his midfield craft is already well developed. The guidance of Bryce Gibbs, Matthew Broadbent and Joel Cross at South Adelaide will undoubtedly have had a sizeable impact on the fundamentals of his game over the past couple of seasons.

Horne-Francis plays with a certain swagger and presence of mind. It’s far from arrogance, but rather a sense of supreme confidence in his skillset and ability to take it up to seasoned players at League level. Horne-Francis has displayed remarkable consistency for a player of his age, consistently featuring among South’s best performers in 2021. Throughout the year, he averaged 16 disposals, four marks, four tackles, three clearances and a tick under a goal per game in 20 matches. He is a remarkably well-rounded prospect with no standout area of improvement. At times, his kicking can be inconsistent in the sense he invites pressure on occassion with short passes, or can blaze away long from a contest. However, Horne-Francis’ skills are above average for an inside-leaning midfielder and are expected to translate well at the next level

Not sure on the point, but jhf is a jet. If that's the comparison even more reason to take him.

I think trying to compare players is foley anyway. What reid does appear to have is the ability to take over games, this is a quality the superstars in the game have. It would be negligent to not take reid I think.

On a different note, In terms of F1 trading, such a bad idea. Just be patient. Plus imagine having a nightmare season again and no high pick to look forward to. Hard pass.

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

I guarantee, when it comes to draft night, there's not going to be a single Eagles supporter who will want to turn back the clock and win another game in season 2023 ... Unless some crazy stuff happens

Yes

I expect we'll draft Reid with Pick 1 but I think everyone is on edge in case we pull some crazy shit to end up with a HBF and an inferior mid to Reid instead just doing the obvious thing.






Harsh maybe but i don't care. Just don't **** this up pie man and friends!

 

[plays tall 1]

Regarding next year’s F1, I’d heard that there are plenty of very good mids likely to go early, all being Vic Metro and SA. But Finn O’Sullivan is one of the top mid prospects and he’s from country Victoria, albeit he’s boarding in the metro area for schooling. There’s got to be a decent chance he’s not a bedwetter. Best we keep our F1.

 

[Forward Press]

I guarantee, when it comes to draft night, there's not going to be a single Eagles supporter who will want to turn back the clock and win another game in season 2023. I also guarantee, there won't be a single North supporter saying, "f-yeah! that win against Gold Coast is so much more valuable!".

I guarantee if Hawthorn win a flag in 2025, there's not going to be a single Hawks supporter who will want to turn back the clock and won less in season 2023. I also guarantee, there won't be a single Eagles supporter saying, "f-yeah! at least we have Harley Reid as he is so much more valuable!"

 

[Eddie_Sandbrah]

In terms of F1 trading, such a bad idea. Just be patient.

Every year people get FOMO. But there's always another player next year. Curtin is probably a 200 game KPD. But we need to let this go. We probably already have one in Bazzo, and will probably draft another over the next 3 drafts. Keep F1 and get another mid or a KPF.