Emma Quayle's Guide to the 2011 AFL draft

[Whispering_Jack 29,826]

Emma Quayle of the Age has come out with her Guide to the 2011 AFL draft

This is her analysis of Melbourne (she's usually pretty good although she lost me a bit with her characterisation of Lynden Dunn as a "small/medium forward" - must be the mo or something )

MELBOURNE

In: Mitch Clark

Out: Addam Maric, Tom Scully, Matthew Warnock, Austin Wonaeamirri

Draft picks: 36, 52, 54

DEPTH CHARTS

TALL FORWARDS

Mitch Clark

Jack Watts

Lucas Cook (a)

Jeremy Howe

Liam Jurrah

TALL DEFENDERS

James Frawley

Colin Garland

Jared Rivers

Troy Davis

Tom McDonald (edited inclusion)

SMALL/MEDIUM FORWARDS

Brad Green (a) (v)

Ricky Petterd

Lynden Dunn

Matthew Bate (a)

Jamie Bennell (a)

Neville Jetta

Kelvin Lawrence (rookie)

SMALL/MEDIUM DEFENDERS

Jack Grimes (a)

Luke Tapscott (a)

Joel Macdonald

James Strauss

Daniel Nicholson (rookie) (v)

MIDFIELDERS

Jack Trengove

Colin Sylvia (a)

Brent Moloney

Aaron Davey (v)

Nathan Jones

Jordie McKenzie

Jordan Gysberts

Cale Morton (a)

Sam Blease (a)

Michael Evans

Rohan Bail (a)

Clint Bartram

RUCKS

Mark Jamar

Stefan Martin (a)

Max Gawn

Jack Fitzpatrick (a)

Jake Spencer

DRAFT NEEDS

It's time for the Demons to get moving. While Scully is an enormous loss, their improvement needs to come from within, given the hand they've held in the past few drafts. Clark gives them the big body they have been craving for the forward line, although he has questions to answer at his new club, namely whether he can play as the bona fide marking target they need him to be. If he can, then suddenly Watts, Jurrah and Howe will be able to get on their bikes and the forward line will look so much better structured. The Dees have high hopes for Bail, Evans and Nicholson around the midfield, and, after delisting Wonaeamirri and Maric, have faith that another rookie, West Australian Lawrence, can become their crumber, having taken some time to settle into Melbourne last year. The club has built depth and options in all areas and there is nothing it desperately needs in this draft, position-wise. Finding another key back to start developing would be a good move and a bit more pace around the ball wouldn't go astray either, particularly given that Jack Viney will arrive as a father-son pick this time next year and is an inside animal. Another thing to remember is that the Dees got two compensation picks for Scully. That will give them a shot at two excellent players in next year's draft, even if Viney costs a first-round pick, so they're well positioned to sit tight this time. Who will be there? They're going to have to wait and see as far as their first pick goes but if any club grabs Waylen Manson early it might be them; they've put a lot of work into him.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

It may be obvious but what does the (a) mean? And the (v).

Edited November 18, 2011 by RobbieF

[Radar Detector 1,347]

She also seems to have forgotten Tom McDonald.

[DeeZee 7,364]

I didnt know we put alot of work into Waylen Manson?

[jayceebee31 759]

With regards to Dunn, he has never performed as a tall, therefore I can understand her thinking he plays like a mid forward type.

[ox_5 163]

I didnt know we put alot of work into Waylen Manson?

Don't feel bad, neither would most people.

[Whispering_Jack 29,826]

It may be obvious but what does the (a) mean? And the (v).

From her twitter:

(a) is an adaptable player

(v) turns 28 or older in next year

[Big Kev 361]

From her twitter:

(a) is an adaptable player

(v) turns 28 or older in next year

Daniel Nicholson (rookie) (v)

I didn't know that Dan was that old

[Red and Blue Bloke 20]

A - was driving me crazy and to only put it on twitter is a mistake as it is so subjective.

[Whispering_Jack 29,826]

More twitter from Emma Q:

Note Dees fans, Tom McDonald shd be on your list as a key defender, there was confusion created cos of the other TMc but I didn't forget him

The other TMc was delisted a couple of weeks ago.

[monoccular 17,417]

Emma Quayle of the Age has come out with her Guide to the 2011 AFL draft

This is her analysis of Melbourne (she's usually pretty good although she lost me a bit with her characterisation of Lynden Dunn as a "small/medium forward" - must be the mo or something )

I guess one could ask - just what is he (don't state the obvious with the porn star mo)?

[old55 23,441]

[censored] effort from EQ.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,706]

A - was driving me crazy and to only put it on twitter is a mistake as it is so subjective.

The (a) and (v) explanations were included in the printed edition of The Age. Although Tom McDonald wasn't.

[DeeSpencer 25,515]

I think a few people need to adapt to our first pick being 36 not multiple picks in the top 20 as the last few years. It's going to be hard for anyone to speculate on who we will take as our recruiters can't be sure themselves, they have to come with a long list and hope to get a player at the top of it.

If EQ thinks we've put a lot of work in Manson then she may as well put it out there. But really I'm sure our recruiters hope that someone they list in their top 20-25 picks falls down to 36.

As for the stuff about where players are listed in position its hard to judge. I think no one but the individual club could do this and even then would be wrong on some of their players when they chance position over time.

[Barney Rubble 1,576]

Don't let the fact that our first pick on the night will be 36.

Our first pick was 12 (Mitch Clark) and based on previous first picks we've had (priority included) he would have to be our best 1st round pick ever. Especially when you take into account JW, T$ CM CS TJ BMcL.

Sorry me ol mate Chip deserves better.