AFL.com.au Phantom Draft

[cooko 124]

36. Melbourne - Josh Tynan

Height: 186cm

Weight: 76kg

DOB: 6/11/93

Club: Gippsland Power

Draft range: 35-50

Tynan is a hard-at-it defender-midfielder whose poise under pressure will really add to the Demons' mix in the back half. His strength overhead allows him to play on taller opponents, he has a good turn of speed and reads the play well. He's just the sort of player that new coach Mark Neeld will be keen to get into the club.

52. Melbourne - Haiden Schloithe

Height: 179cm

Weight: 72kg

DOB: 16/6/93

Club: South Fremantle

Draft range: 40-60

Schloithe is a very quick half-forward flanker who absolutely loves to attack the ball carrier when not in possession. He registered 16 tackles in a colts game for South Fremantle this season with that sort of work ethic making him a very desirable commodity at Melbourne.

54. Melbourne - Josh Waldhuter

Height: 183cm

Weight: 84kg

DOB: 15/3/93

Club: Central District

Draft range: 45-65

Waldhuter is a tough, team-first mid who the Demons will find difficult to let slip despite not having added any tall timber at this draft. He gets after the ball carrier like he was born to do nothing else, but he also runs a sub-3s 20m sprint, so he's no inside plodder.

[stranga 328]

Id definitely be happy if Waldhuter slips to one of the picks in the 50s. Love the look of his agressive style and pace. Most other phantoms have him between about 35-50

[torpedo 33]

Dissapointing PD. Previous afl.com.au PDs, particularly Burgs, have always listed which clubs are looking at which players so you get a broad range of players that are on each club's radar, this provides no such 'insider info'. The picks also seem very similar to a lot of other PDs out there. Hmmm.

[Demon Disciple 11,971]

Of the players right around our picks, going on the AFL's phantom draft, it wouldn't be unrealistic if we had the choice of either Frost/Grigg at pick 36, Manson at pick 52, and Waldhuter at pick 54.

If we were to walk away with these kids at those picks, we would have done very well, imo.

[DeeSpencer 25,332]

Dissapointing PD. Previous afl.com.au PDs, particularly Burgs, have always listed which clubs are looking at which players so you get a broad range of players that are on each club's radar, this provides no such 'insider info'. The picks also seem very similar to a lot of other PDs out there. Hmmm.

Maybe the professionalism has gone up a notch and recruiters aren't willing to give insider info any more. Also with GWS having so many early picks it throws the whole insider info thing out a bit.

Emma Quale is the best these days for insider info, and her first round will be out tomorrow, but even then I'm not sure how much she will have.

Back on the draft, Tynan and Waldhunter look like they can play and would be reasonable selections. You'd have something to work with from those picks. I've never heard of Schloithe, has anyone else? But I'm hoping we take a player capable of filling a small forward role somewhere in the upcoming drafts.

[rhaz 342]

Emma Quale is the best these days for insider info, and her first round will be out tomorrow, but even then I'm not sure how much she will have.

The draft itself is tomorrow! Why do a phantom first round on the day of the draft haha.

[drdrake 3,151]

It is all a guess but to me the players they have for the MFC are the type of players we will be drafting whether it is them or someone else we will me looking for smalls be it midfielders, HB Flankers or a small forward. I would be very supprised if we drafted a player over 192cms. My preference is outside speed and a solid mid sized defender.

[Red and Blue Flame 179]

lots of people thinking the draft is for 17/18 yr olds...dont forget we have two rookies in Nicholson and Evans that have impressed Neeld (upgrades) and also Tom Couch training well with us. Wouldnt be suprised to see a VFL pikcup with one of our 50's picks

[Red and Blue Flame 179]

also considering next year's super draft we will get jack viney (yes!) AND 2 other first round picks relatively low down with no gws/gc concessions.

[PartyTimeJohnny 537]

^{More midfielders! More!}

^{Lots of running and pace!}

[furious d 463]

Agree with others, would like to see us add some pace. I have no idea but I like the sound of Murray Newman, has pace, uses the ball well and can kick a goal. Kicked 6 in his only colts game in WA, then played seniors for the rest of the year and did well. Will start as a small forward but should end up a mid if he can build his tank. I think WC might take him before we get the chance.

If we miss Newman I hope we can nab Marley Williams or Haiden Schloithe with one of our picks in the 50's. I really think we need more competition for the small forward role. All 3 are said to be decent at tackling and forward pressure which is pretty much essential these days.

Tynan is rated lower in most phantoms I've seen and I liked him for pick 52, he's quick with decent disposal which should be our theme for this draft. Depending how the cards fall the mids I like, in no particular order, are Kerridge, Merrett, Woodward, Waldhunter and Nelson.

Having said that I'll be happy with whoever we end up with. I've learnt not to second guess BP's picks after 30, he has an excellent strike rate

[Carlos Danger 380]

Id definitely be happy if Waldhuter slips to one of the picks in the 50s. Love the look of his agressive style and pace. Most other phantoms have him between about 35-50

Would be a bargain pick of epic proportions to get Waldhuter at 54. As would the Saints getting Jackson Paine at pick 68.

Really don't see either happening but good on Phelan for doing such a comprehensive phantom draft.

[Lutz 76]

It'd be great if Waldhuter could do something other than tackle and run fast.

[torpedo 33]

As per Mephis, I think the absolute priority must be mids, you only need to glance at our current batch to recognise that we are several top shelf mids short. Premierships are won in the midfield, the rest of the positions can be covered by role players if you’re midfield is strong enough.

I really think we need more competition for the small forward role.

I think this need is better met by drafting skilful mids, see Geelong & Collingwood, no pure small forwards other than Krakour, they develop players in the small forward role that eventually graduate to the midfield and win their own ball – Varcoe, Stokes, Christensen, Menzel / Beams, Sidebottom, Blair, Fasolo - those players are just as capable of applying forward pressure and kicking goals as pure small forwards.

[Axis of Bob 11,565]

I actually liked his draft as far as the MFC selections go. Although I don't know much of the specific players, I thought that the types of player he had for is were spot on. Small defender who is skilful and strong overhead is important for team defence, a small forward who tackles and can finish (with score to develop) and a big bodied mid.

I think we'll add some body size around the ball, but that may also mean drafting a defender so that Tappy can shift into the midfield rotations.

Big chance tonight to see in which direction Neeld is trying to take the list.

I love draft day!

[DeeSpencer 25,332]

http://twitpic.com/7imwbq

Interesting

[Deeman 1,489]

I love draft day!

I do too but I'm a bit worried about the pick nominated at pick 52.

Is Neeld testing the commentators' skills of pronounciation?