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TALKING POINTS | 2024 AFL Draft: Night One My own key takeaway was the slow start to the night’s selections but once it got going, the selections moved a reasonable rate. I’m a bit more pessimistic about how things will pan out tonight. It could be a slow trudge to the finishing line with the predicted volume of live trades.

Those who watched the 2024 Marsh AFL National Championships closely this year would not be particularly surprised that Melbourne selected Victoria Country pair Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay on the first night of the AFL National Draft. The two left-footed midfielders are as different as chalk and cheese but they had similar impacts in their Coates Talent League teams and in the National Championships in 2024. Their interstate side was edged out at the very end of the tournament for team honours by Victoria Metro but the duo reached the pinnacle of individual success by being named in the starting midfield of this year’s All Australian team. Naturally, both also made the CTL Team of the Year. The 191cm tall Langford is an inside midfield star who can also hit the scoreboard. He was selected for this year’s AFL Academy and co-captained the Dandenong Stingrays where he was a consistent high performer. Langford rose to even greater heights with Vic Country where he averaged 25.5 disposals, and 6.3 marks, was named in the team’s best two players across all four games, sharing the Larke Medal for best and fairest in the Carnival. This earned him a single game for Richmond in the VFL where he managed 12 disposals and three marks in his sole appearance, playing a half on-ball before moving up forward. Lindsay is 183cm and a well rounded outside runner who according to Demons’ recruiting boss Jason Taylor is an expert reader of the game. This year he captained Gippsland Power Under 18s and was the Morrish Medal winner as CTL’s best and fairest player. He was best on the ground in that National Championship decider against Vic Metro with 30 disposals, 11 marks, and eight tackles, just shading his teammate Langford. I recommend that you get a hold of the vision from this game. "His IQ is high as well and he has unbelievable spatial awareness. He just knows what is around him," Taylor said of Lindsay yesterday. "He really carries the footy and he is an elite kick and he has got good speed and he has got an ability to play in a lot of different positions. "He plays them all well." And play well they did, consistently and throughout the national championships. It was the same thing every time they put on a Country guernsey. From the get go, Langford especially looked the quintessential Jason Taylor/Simon Goodwin recruiting target, as hard and as strong as they come. The club’s recruiters worked hard to secure pick 9 from the Bombers and it all paid off when Lindsay’s name was called out to play for the Demons. My first thoughts about securing two classy players with such deadly left foot delivery were of the great Hawthorn dynasty a decade ago. While the football world’s eyes were on the troubled Demons who languished through a difficult last half of the season riddled with injuries and player issues, Taylor and his team were working hard to restore the club to the point where it recently stood on the brink of such an elusive dynasty. We saw the early result of their endeavours last night - two midfielders with bright futures in the game and with names that one day soon will be up in lights.

Looking unlikely now according to the man himself given we picked two mids with picks 6 and 11. Here's hoping we still pick him

Training reports indicate that all the year 1-4 players came back in good Nick and were all working hard, no one has singled Jed Adams out at this stage apart from looking like Harry Petty. Still we need him ready to go in ‘25, would be great if he can force his way into the side, same for Matty Jefferson although he seems a lot more advanced.

I don't see why being a Richmond supporter growing up is an issue. Trac grew up a Collingwood supporter and loves Melbourne.

Who cares about how he looked on draft night? Dustin Martin hasn't smiled once in his life. Nerves, shyness, Ben Dixon being a total weirdo, all of the above. Very, very happy with this pick. Trac and Clarry will probably start winding down in 3-4 years just as Langford and Windsor are hitting their prime. Perfect.

Chews up more of their 3rd round picks. Right now they’ve got 46, 47, 49, a bid at pick 1 would’ve wiped them out. And earlier Marshall bid would’ve wiped out 56 and 59 too. They’re effectively still live with solid 3rd rounders because of the nonsense teams at 1-4.

To be really pedantic, it was first recorded by its composer Isham Jones (great name, by the way) in 1924 without lyrics. The first version recorded with lyrics (penned by Gus Kahn) was by Marion Harris, also in 1924. I think the reason I never made it as an AFL footballer was because I'd prefer this song to anything recorded by AC/DC. In fact, it's one of my favourite songs of all time.

I've got a reputation to live down to, you know!

I didn't even know who McAdam was until we traded for him. Not at all impressed by what I've seen so far - a fail by the recruiters there. I hope I'm wrong.

Well now that's got good omens written all over it.

I wondered around and finally found The somebody who Picks out random grammatical errors in posts..... (BTW it would be more authentic to say Frank Sinatra instead of Harry Connick Jnr. But that's simply my version of pedantic :) )

Another JT bust

In the words of Harry Connick Jr It had to be you

Did they train the day this photo was taken? It was right after the draft last year.

1cm shorter than Bontempelli!! Perfect mid/forward size Great get.

Languid and reluctant in the background waving eagerly, almost desperately.

In previous years the new draftees have joined in right after the draft. If you love footy and running after that ball, tough to sit on the side. Though, I understand if they give them time to observe some of the drills, set-ups, and routines.

Buccs Broncos Lions

If all going well, I think he plays 2’s more often thus year. Petts back and hopefully Jeffo takes his spot up forward

True but they weren’t Top 10 players. 😁

In simple practical terms what was the difference to Brisbane between us picking Ashcroft at 5 and other teams picking him at say 1 and 10. I know it's points but what does that point differential translate to in cold hard picks Thanks

Is Lindsay a bit quicker?

Gaff never had penetration in his kick