This years draft smokey!

[ChaserJ 4,812]

In a scenario where we still had pick 13 Simpson would have been in the mix, but given his output and exposed form, pick 4 is far too much of a reach. Jack Martin has the same 'special' attributes but also showed relatively consistent form at the champs along with a solid inside outside game, which Simpson hasn't shown on a regular basis. I remember a recruiter's notes popping up during the champs coverage with the word 'selfish' underlined next to Simpson's name, which isn't necessarily a bad thing but could be a bit of a red flag.

Wines is as 'sure' a selection as you can get at pick 4. Not only covers all of the onfield attributes of decision making solid disposal and reading of the play, but also is a big tick with the off field application and preparation as well. He works both ways and is likely to be more consistently involved over four quarters week in week out, which makes him great value. He'll only add to the positive cultural push that the FD are trying to drive at the moment. Too many signs point to Wines at the moment.

[picket fence 16,805]

Yep Wines for me. Neelds 'hardest team to play against' fits nicely with a tough, tackling machine like Wines apparently is. Also i reckon the fact that he is a long time great mate of Viney should not be underestimated and is real positive in favour of getting hiom. Adds to the chemistry and means that there would be two players in the square who are tight and will instictively look out for each other. They will also push each other intraining i'd reckon given they are both super competive.

A tangent but i reckon this tanking palaver could actually be a positive in that it might help the boys gel together - the us against the world vibe.

Agree and agree again

I want WINES WINES AND MORE WINE

Barossa will do just fine!

[rjay 24,677]

The only smokey for me would be Stringer, it's only injury that has held him back. If the legs ok then he offers a lot, probably the pick of this draft. Wines looks a safe bet but if he was not available...

[dee-luded 2,959]

totally agree - no more skinny kids with potential talent given our track record and luck.

6 & 1

[Moonshadow 17,577]

im thinking of the winery sponsorships of having both Wines and Viney in the same side.

Don't forget Sellar.

[ChaserJ 4,812]

Tyrrells must be preparing a special limited edition range just in case...

[dtrinh 71]

Just wondering if anyone who follows the TAC cup or saw any of the vic country games give any insight into Wines. They rate him highly in relation to clearances and tackles but just wondering how his speed and kicking efficiency was?

We've already gotten rid of a player ie Brent Moloney who was considered a clearance specialist and a hard nut but he was too slow and was unable to keep up with the speed of the game. Not sure if we need to bring in another player too similar to him?

He sounds like he has good endurance with a high beep test but we really need to bring in someone who can work hard both ways, spread well from the clearances and possess some speed too.

[Lord Travis 10,524]

Just wondering if anyone who follows the TAC cup or saw any of the vic country games give any insight into Wines. They rate him highly in relation to clearances and tackles but just wondering how his speed and kicking efficiency was?

Pace is average, kicking is average-good. He'll be an inside midfielder at senior AFL level. He doesn't have the pace or skills to play outside and be damaging. He is a good tackler though, so won't be one-way. Like Viney he is just ferocious at the ball or man with the ball. He will be OK to link up in chains, but he will mainly be a contested ball winner similar to Moloney, but with a defensive side to his game too. He's a "safe" pick, but I don't expect him to become a star. Toumpas, O'Rourke, Macrae and Mayes all have better skills, pace, decision making and upside, but are more risky in that it may not translate consistently to AFL level. I think Neeld's love for hard nuts will see Wines selected by us if he is available, even if he isn't the most talented.

Edited November 6, 2012 by Lord Travis

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

I have no doubt Wines is a lock in at pick 4. But, seriously, will he be available?

[ChaserJ 4,812]

Have seen him live, and watched and re-watched the Vic Country games for his work specifically.

His speed is just ok (not elite), but he reads the game so well that he gives himself an extra yard, and gets himself in good position (defensively and offensively) around the ground. Constantly on the move around stopages and often bursts out of packs with enough separation to get an effective kick away. He works hard to spread from a contest, and makes good decisions in tight.

Predominantly an inside ball winner, but has the football IQ and awareness to do all of the other things well, and will work to improve. Not just a 'see ball, get ball' inside ball winner.

He should be available, would be surprised if we didn't have a discussion with GWS about who picks 1,2 & 3 would be before trading for Hogan. If he's gone, then O'Rourke's not a bad consolation prize, although I would think Grundy would start to come into the conversation (with Plowman on the fringes too).

[CBDees 3,165]

If we don't get Wines, let us hope that it is Grundy; somebody with a body that enables them to have on-filed presence straight away!

[dtrinh 71]

Cheers Travis and Chaser... he sounds like a pretty safe option. Viney although is a good contested ball winner seems to have good burst pace and can break away from packs and link up in chains quite well. I just wasn't sure about Wines.

Also wondering all this talk about O'Rourke... not sure if he's another player that is just talked up or is he the real deal? I haven't managed to find any highlights of him and from the stats he seemed to have a pretty average start to the season and the championships with really low possession counts in the first two vic metro games and then he stepped it up a lil later after that. I rekon Jackson Mcrae looks like he is going to be a good player... seems quite similar to andrew gaff in that he is a good run and carry player with a damaging left foot. What do you guys reckon? Maybe think that pick 4 is a lil high for him?

[ChaserJ 4,812]

O'Rourke's got some great tools. Silky skills, good decision maker, can win it inside and out, beautiful kick, but has a light frame and tends to receive more often than not. High level endurance and pace, but tends to play in spurts.

He'll have a burst where he has 6 or 7 influential touches in a short period of time, then disappear for a while. At this stage doesn't stay involved enough over the course of game. Remember reading that a couple of coaches/recruiters questioned his intesity at the combine, because he looks like he's cruising, but he just seems like a player who always has time. Tore South Australia a new one early in Metro's win over South Australia over there. Reminds me a bit of Griffin from the Dog's.

I think he'll be a high quality player, I personally would pick Wines ahead of him because of that sheer competitive drive that Wines has. Wines always seems to be around the ball when the game is in the balance, wants to be at the coalface when the heat is on and take responsibility for winning the contest. Just feel that those traits and mindsets can't be fabricated.

Jackson Macrae's an interesting one. Given the way he finished the season, I don't necessarily think 4 is too high for him, wouldn't be surprised if he snuck into the top 3, but reckon the Dog's will pick him at 5 or 6. Gaff not a bad comparison, maybe a touch of Embley there as well. Macrae just seems to run and run and run. Big tick for his ability to influence big games, he was massive for the Chargers in the finals and pretty good across the Champs. I think his kicking is a touch inconsistent, but reads the play very well, good overhead and has good awareness. His sidestep is pretty special. I'm sure his kicking will get the tidying up it requires in an AFL environment, once that happens you'll more or less have the archetypal wingman.