I'll ask here if I may. I really appreciate the efforts some go to to provide the rest of us with good info on the up and comers. More power to those that have the time and opportunity to invest in getting the good oil on these lads.

Who amongst the new batch would remind anyone of an "Ollie Wines " type

We got the Toump and Ive no real problem with this other than hell take a couple of years to grown and develop into the classy outside mid he is. We need Mids and we need good inside ones too that dont flinch, dont budge and like to eat the opposition for breakfast. I was disappointed we didnt get Wines.

Are there any other decent "Vintages" out there for the picking this year ?

From watching the U18 comp and the discussions on here I would say Sheed and Dunstan are the two most "AFL ready" mids going, possible also Scharenberg but he didn't play a lot of midfield in the champs. If we do end up getting two early pick I'd say we will go for a sure thing like Sheed and then a prospect like Aish, that's if we don't trade one of those picks. If we don't get that then it will be interesting to see which way they go.

There is no real comparison for Wines in this draft for bodytype and overall ability. Dominic Sheed is a completely different player but he has the desired centre square contested ball winning capabilities plus he has a reasonable outside game and can be effective as a forward. The added bonus with him is that he is a left footer. The other player close is Nathan Freeman, a strong bodied bull with decent skill level and the ability to run and carry. He is a poor man's Patrick Dangerfield. As I said there are no real Wines types and historically they aren't generally highly desired as they tend to dominate junior levels because of their strength advantage and then can come back to the field once they get into the AFL system.

I would be offering Port Adelaide pick 2 in this years draft for Ollie Wines.

I know it might seem a little unrealistic but it would definitely be worth asking the question, in case Port absolutely love Aish or Scharenberg.

We are just screaming for a 187cm, 90kg clearance machine.

From my limited U18 knowledge, Cripps from WA would seem a reasonable second round target in that mould - 190cm, solid through the legs and hips like Jobe Watson.

I would be offering Port Adelaide pick 2 in this years draft for Ollie Wines.

I know it might seem a little unrealistic but it would definitely be worth asking the question, in case Port absolutely love Aish or Scharenberg.

We are just screaming for a 187cm, 90kg clearance machine.

From my limited U18 knowledge, Cripps from WA would seem a reasonable second round target in that mould - 190cm, solid through the legs and hips like Jobe Watson.

Thats not a bad idea, they would take it to, Wines hasn't shown much interes in putting pen to paper.

Do we need to restrict ourselves to an 'Ollie Wines' type? Would much prefer we picked the best midfielder, regardless of type.

Do we need to restrict ourselves to an 'Ollie Wines' type? Would much prefer we picked the best midfielder, regardless of type.

Of course not.. I was just wondering if there was a similar player avail this year.

If we get a PP and dont trade it then we'll get a couple of cracks at the sharp end of the pickings.

What I personally want to see as an addition to the list is another young no nonsense type real goer.

I think we need to have a change up from the "silky skilled" - "needs 3-4 years nurturing" - "great outside type mid"

Some one who can not only get the ball, but stand up and is capable of reasonable decisions whilst being able to kick the ball "OK".

thats all

Let's see what Dean Kent can produce when he gets in the middle after another pre season.

I was talking with Jack Viney the other week (Sydney game) and he had real high praise for Kent.

wines IMO is a better option for us than any top 10 draft mid

pick 2 would be a fair offer

I would be offering Port Adelaide pick 2 in this years draft for Ollie Wines.

I know it might seem a little unrealistic but it would definitely be worth asking the question, in case Port absolutely love Aish or Scharenberg.

I thought young draftees were on 2 year contracts and could not be touched during that time? Yeah? or have I misunderstood the draft rules.

Do we need to restrict ourselves to an 'Ollie Wines' type? Would much prefer we picked the best midfielder, regardless of type.

We need clearances thats where we should be concentrating no matter what type

We potentially have a great forward line next year but will all be wasted If we dont win the bloody ball from the centre oraround the ground.We need clearance machines Jones cannot do it on his own and hasnt this year 70 to 19 in side 50s v Geelong will kill this club

Please get two players who can do it now to give him a hand

We need clearances thats where we should be concentrating no matter what type

We potentially have a great forward line next year but will all be wasted If we dont win the bloody ball from the centre oraround the ground.We need clearance machines Jones cannot do it on his own and hasnt this year 70 to 19 in side 50s v Geelong will kill this club

Please get two players who can do it now to give him a hand

This was my core of thinking. We just dont get it , then clear it. So much of our footy is catch up.

Class is nice on sunny day with space. Looks marvellous. But first of all we need the get the ball, keep the ball, use the ball.

in a word...we need GRUNT

I'd rather give up pick 2 for Brad Crouch, who IMO will prove better in the long term, don't get me wrong Wines is going to be a very good player but so is Crouch

I think we need both inside and outside. Will be happy to pick best available at pick 2.

I would be offering Port Adelaide pick 2 in this years draft for Ollie Wines.

I know it might seem a little unrealistic but it would definitely be worth asking the question, in case Port absolutely love Aish or Scharenberg.

We are just screaming for a 187cm, 90kg clearance machine.

From my limited U18 knowledge, Cripps from WA would seem a reasonable second round target in that mould - 190cm, solid through the legs and hips like Jobe Watson.

I thought that he was, by default, on a two year contract.

Can any experts please elaborate.

I think trying to get Wines is a bit of an impossible fantasy. First of all why would Port trade him for pick 2? They've already put a year into him and he's shown to be a very good player. And secondly why would he want to come to Melbourne? Just because he was friends with Viney doesn't mean he would just leave the Power(who look like playing finals).

Wines wont be going anywhere...not this year at least

I was purely looking to another of his ilk.

Wines wont be going anywhere...not this year at least

I was purely looking to another of his ilk.

Yeah I got that BB59 I was more referring to people who say "oh we should offer pick 2 for Wines". Unrealistic

It is my understanding that anyone can be traded at anytime if BOTH the Player & the Club agree regardless of whether there is a Contract in place.

Clearly a Contract requires both parties to agree.

It is my understanding that anyone can be traded at anytime if BOTH the Player & the Club agree regardless of whether there is a Contract in place.

Clearly a Contract requires both parties to agree.

thats true. They CANT be on traded in the first year but Im not sure if the trade period is the 1st year or 'after' it .

BigFooty phantom draft (Chris25) talking up SA kid James Battersby.

Also, can I just talk up James Battersby a bit more? The kid is dominating every game he plays. He went from the U18 Championships, straight to a BOG performance for Sturt in the SANFL seniors. The only reason I have him so low in my draft is because I really want Fremantle to pick him up. He is as good an inside midfielder as you'll find in the draft. And if his performances for SA are anything to go by, he could also lay claim to being the best small defender.

Some people might think he's got limited scope for improvement, I don't buy that - he just looks a footballer.

Not many U18 kids can play the way he has at senior level, not even well built ones - and there's no way a guy reaches his footballing peak at 18.

If I were recruiting for Melbourne, I'd seriously consider Battersby with their second round selection. Take James Aish at #2, and then get the inside midfielder with that second pick. A Battersby/Viney combination with Aish/Toumpas on the outside would be nice. No need to pay overs for someone like Sloane.

Upon completion of the 2013 U18 Championships, James has established himself as the most in-form running defender prospect in the country. He is a known ball winner both at state level for SA and at Sturt, his SANFL club in which he has played both reserves and senior football this season due to his performances. He is one of the smartest kicks off half-back that I have seen this year, using his awareness and decision-making intangibles to effectively make a rushed decision on his feet and turn defence into offense. Not only is he effective off the flanks, but he is known to be just as influential when rotated in the guts, racking up clearances and getting his hands on it more than anyone would’ve expected! Another weapon in this young prospect’s arsenal is his ability to also move up forward and kick a goal, turning him as one of the best utilities come November, and with his strong core strength he could very well rise up in his draft stocks and sneak into being a 1st round pick.

PLAYER PROFILE – JAMES BATTERSBY

D.O.B: 7/11/1995

HEIGHT: 177cm

WEIGHT: 78kg

GRASSROOTS CLUB: Payneham Norwood Union

SANFL CLUB: Sturt FC

STRENGTHS: Versatiliy, elite kicking, decision-making, core strength, “accumulator” of the footy, great engine

WEAKNESSES: Height, 1v1 aerial contests

PLAYS LIKE: Andrew Walker (CARL)

2013 MAD MONDAY DRAFT PROJECTION: Late 1st round to late 2nd round pick

AFL CLUBS THAT HE WOULD ATTRACT: Collingwood, Fremantle, Melbourne, Port Adelaide, St Kilda

SEASON AVERAGES – JAMES BATTERSBY – SOUTH AUSTRALIA/STURT

U18 SA 23.5 disposals

Sturt Seniors 19.5 disposals

Edited July 22, 201312 yr by Theo

Taking Aish & Battersby would mean that the James' would overtake the Jacks at the club!

Frawley, Strauss, Sellar, Magner, Aish & Battersby.

I'll ask here if I may. I really appreciate the efforts some go to to provide the rest of us with good info on the up and comers. More power to those that have the time and opportunity to invest in getting the good oil on these lads.

Who amongst the new batch would remind anyone of an "Ollie Wines " type

We got the Toump and Ive no real problem with this other than hell take a couple of years to grown and develop into the classy outside mid he is. We need Mids and we need good inside ones too that dont flinch, dont budge and like to eat the opposition for breakfast. I was disappointed we didnt get Wines.

Are there any other decent "Vintages" out there for the picking this year ?

Why do people forget we got Viney?? A similar type to Wines and a top 6 pick for sure. The fact we got him at 26 - people seem to think it doesn't count or something?? AND we got the Toump.

Why do people forget we got Viney?? A similar type to Wines and a top 6 pick for sure. The fact we got him at 26 - people seem to think it doesn't count or something?? AND we got the Toump.

I havent.. He cant do it alone...thats the point. Toump is 2 years away from impacting

Toumpas ISNT an in and under , get ball ,steal ball eat ball type. We need someone like that IMHO ( as well as Viney ) he may not always be on the park either ( by that , theres no guarantee anyone will be , so can be relied upon alone )

Taking Aish & Battersby would mean that the James' would overtake the Jacks at the club!

Frawley, Strauss, Sellar, Magner, Aish & Battersby.

Not after this end of season list changes..