Always a good read on the draft - The lads most likely.

I liked the sound of Freeman, we lack pace and he seems to have it. Question is fitness and disposal, but it sounds like it's areas he's worked hard at improving.

I really want us to get this one right as we've had really high draft picks in the past and we've just expected them to take off. With whoever we get being picked up at 9 hopefully there won't be the same pressure.

Salem for mine. Elite footskills. We are lacking bigtime.

From reading Emma's summary and the various "Phantom Draft"s floating about, we are destined to recruit a very good midfileder to add to those already secured during the trade period. Freeman and Salem both sound good,as do many others (even Zac Jones). I am sure that Roos will make an astute selection, not only with pick No. 9 but also with picks #40 and #57. Let us hope that they are all developed enough to be in contention for Round 1 2014.

Salem for mine. Elite footskills. We are lacking bigtime.

Last time we recruited a player for his elite foot skills we got Strauss and I think we would be wary of again recruiting a player because he was good at one facet of the game. I'm not saying that he is only a good kick but I would like to think that we would draft a player that had multiple skills.

Last time we recruited a player for his elite foot skills we got Strauss and I think we would be wary of again recruiting a player because he was good at one facet of the game. I'm not saying that he is only a good kick but I would like to think that we would draft a player that had multiple skills.

I was about to write a similar thing RobbieF. Everything I read about Salem makes me think of Strauss.

Except Salem has a hunger for winning a contest..... He plays nothing like Strauss.

Except Salem has a hunger for winning a contest..... He plays nothing like Strauss.

Averaged 17 possessions with a high percentage uncontested?

Averaged 17 possessions with a high percentage uncontested?

Would you say Strauss had a tough edge to him ?

I wouldn't even say Strauss has an elite kick.

He regularly misses targets whenever under a scintilla of pressure.

Good at training tho.

I wouldn't even say Strauss has an elite kick.

He regularly misses targets whenever under a scintilla of pressure.

Good at training tho.

I wouldn't even say Strauss has an elite kick.

He regularly misses targets whenever under a scintilla of pressure.

Good at training tho.

Continue to judge him on his first couple of seasons if you like, but he's a bit better than that.

He should be an elite kick in an AFL match, but for confidence and comfort level.

As it is, he's an ok-to-good kick.

Would you say Strauss had a tough edge to him ?

On the limited amount I have seen I would not know whether Salem does. His numbers don't really confirm it though.

On the limited amount I have seen I would not know whether Salem does. His numbers don't really confirm it though.

Every report you read says that Salem has a "tough" edge.

It's ridiculous to infer he's a Strauss clone when you admit you know zilch about him.

Every report you read says that Salem has a "tough" edge.

It's ridiculous to infer he's a Strauss clone when you admit you know zilch about him.

His write ups and the agreed limited amount I have seen remind me of the Strauss skill set. That doesn't mean he is a Strauss clone and I am clear in the lack of depth in my knowledge. If this draft board was kept to the opinions of those in the know there would be 4 people posting on here and neither you nor I would be one of them. His highlights, write ups and the 2 games I have watched him play did not enthuse me.

Those in the know? 4 of them?

I like to watch a fair bit & form my own opinions, but even still I'm just guessing.

I think 4 is being very generous.

Anyone seriously in the know doesn't post on a footy forum.

She has updated her phantom draft and she usually comes close:

AFL draft 2013: Emma Quayle's first round prediction

Welcome to Demonland Nathan Freeman.

I wouldn't even say Strauss has an elite kick.

He regularly misses targets whenever under a scintilla of pressure.

Good at training tho.

Thoroughly agree. I think Strauss being an elite kick overall is a myth perpetrated by Demonlanders. I think he is soft and coughs it up under pressure.

Having said that, he was a high draft pick, and I would prefer we make high draft picks work with our new first class coaching. They are by definition elite athletes at that level - we have wasted too many of these types for our own good. The same applies to Watts, and Bleese,

They are by definition elite athletes at that level

They are by definition elite 18 year old athletes. Who may or may not be elite at 21.

Salem comparisons to Strauss are ridiculous. I understand many poster on here are "once bitten, twice shy" about the idea of drafting for elite foot skills. Strauss didn't exactly work out as planned. But to say that Salem will turn out like Strauss just because he has a great left foot is flawed logic.

As I've said before, I know someone who played with both Salem and Freeman at the Dragons this year. I can confirm Salem's foot skills are exquisite. I can also confirm that he has no problem winning his own hardball. Also when he tackles, he tackles to HURT.

That doesn't sound like James Strauss to me.

Thoroughly agree. I think Strauss being an elite kick overall is a myth perpetrated by Demonlanders. I think he is soft and coughs it up under pressure.

Having said that, he was a high draft pick, and I would prefer we make high draft picks work with our new first class coaching. They are by definition elite athletes at that level - we have wasted too many of these types for our own good. The same applies to Watts, and Bleese,

Neither of which have anything to do with whether his kicking is elite or not.

He may not have been flawless in matches, but if you can't see that Strauss is at least a very good kick, and that his issues are elsewhere, then you've got NFI.

Thoroughly agree. I think Strauss being an elite kick overall is a myth perpetrated by Demonlanders. I think he is soft and coughs it up under pressure.

No its not. Read the notes when he was drafted. Thats what they drafted him on.

We are yet to see it.....

We've definitely seen it, just not consistently over a long period.

She has updated her phantom draft and she usually comes close:

AFL draft 2013: Emma Quayle's first round prediction

Welcome to Demonland Nathan Freeman.

You may be right and Freeman comes to Melbourne. But Emma Quayle's predictions this year are the most equivocal I can remember her ever writing. That suggests two things - that the players from about pick 3 to pick 15 are somewhat interchangeable and that club's are keeping their information much more in-house than usual. Makes for a more fascinating draft.

I think it's because EQ usually gets the inside word from a few recruiters on who their side is keen on, rather than her being a good judge of talent.

With Collingwood playing ducks & drakes trying to get their favoured 2 at picks 6 & 10, it has made those in the middle order tighten their lips.

Ipso facto, she is being forced to make an educated guess for once.

Edited November 20, 201312 yr by Machsy

I think it's because EQ usually gets the inside word from a few recruiters on who their side is keen on, rather than her being a good judge of talent.

With Collingwood playing ducks & drakes trying to get their favoured 2 at picks 6 & 10, it has made those in the middle order tighten their lips.

Ipso facto, she is being forced to make an educated guess for once.

If I remember correctly, before we poached him Burgs also had a pretty similar strike rate with phantom drafts, and for the same reason of just good journalism and use of contacts.