The 2014 AFL National Draft

[old dee 24,003]

last year it was after game 2.

game 1

[praha 11,253]

IMO the club should look to draft a long-term prospect with the ideal in building for the future. We don't need ready made players that will help us win now.

*runs and hides*

[Alcho Dee 269]

What is our priority in the draft next year? Clearly we have issues with forwards it seems Clark will not be with us.

We will also have a problem down back with Frawley most likely moving to another team.

We also have a huge ruck problem with Gawn and Jamar looking unlikely for some time if ever, with Clark out we really need a ruckman/forward (hale or roughead Petrie type.

We also have a midfield problem and are still being dominated in clearances which is a huge issue and could be related to us using our 3rd choice ruckman.

Priority for me is clearly take the best player available in the national draft, which will most likely be a midfielder, but we desperately need to replace Mitch Clark with a Ruckman/KPF.

We will most likely have first choice in the draft for a midfielder, we need to learn from our mistakes.

No skinny kids

Must love the contest ie Oliver Wines vs Jimmy Toumpas

Take the best player available over what we require....watts vs N Nat.

Must be highly skilled (not uncoordinated) WITH A FOOTBALL BRAIN......no Jack Fitzpatrick John Butcher types

Must not be slow (Trengove)

Must be Alfa male type......Joel Selwood, Luke Hodge not Richard Tambling

Must have body ready for the riggers football...not Mitch Clark Max Gawn

Traditional hard nosed footballer, not flashy just gets the job done with week in week out, o Meara, Crouch, Selwood, Birchall

Is there one out the that fits this description....?

[Whispering_Jack 31,144]

And the last of pen pictures from the 2014 draft

CHRISTIAN PETRACCA​ Eastern​ Gen Fwd 185cm​ Resembles: Aaron Edwards

A junior national basketball representative and yet to complete a full football pre-season, Petracca is a strong bodied and powerful medium forward who can also push up into the midfield. He debuted for Eastern Ranges midway through 2012, playing only three matches. In 2013, in the absence of Tom Boyd, he stepped up to be a key ingredient to Eastern's Premiership season, playing 18 matches. He averaged 19 disposals, 11 contested possessions, six marks, and two goals, leading the competition with 48 contested marks and 27 score assists, ranked second for total marks and third for contested possessions. He finished second in Eastern's B&F.

FREAKO: This kid is a gun. Has now finished school so expect him to take the TAC Cup by storm in 2014.

JARROD PICKETT​ South Fremantle Midfielder 177cm​ Resembles: Josh Simpson

Pickett is a clever and quick offensive wingman/small forward who has clean hands and takes the game on with his run-and-carry. In 2012 he averaged 11 disposals and four marks at the NAB AFL Under-16 Championships, and also played five Colts matches for South Fremantle. In 2013 he played four NAB AFL Under-18 Championship games for Western Australia, and from limited game-time, averaged six disposals and one goal, while from his 15 matches for South Fremantle Colts he averaged 16 disposals, three marks, four inside 50s and one goal.

FREAKO: An improving youngster with elite leg speed. Gets caught out spectating sometimes but is a definite talent.

CLEM SMITH Perth​ Gen Def 177cm Resembles: Brandon Ellis

Smith is a physical defender who is a good decision maker, an excellent reader of the play and is also comfortable floating forward and impacting the scoreboard. In 2012 he played each of Western Australia's three NAB AFL Urider-16 Championship matches, averaging 115 Champion Data ranking points, 20 disposals, seven marks and five inside 50s. In his four 2013 NAB AFL Under-18 Championship matches, he excelled, averaging 19 disposals, five marks, three rebound and three inside 50s per game and was named as Western Australia's MVP and was selected in the Under-18 All-Australia team. At WAFL Colts level, he played eight matches, averaging 17 disposals per game.

FREAKO: See ball, get ball - it's pretty simple, and he does plenty of it. Already has the runs on the board.

ALEC WATERMAN​ Claremont​ Midfielder 181cm Resembles: Michael Hibberd

With father Chris playing 177 matches for the West Coast Eagles, Waterman is eligible to be selected by the club under the Father-Son rule. A medium midfielder, he averaged 14 disposals, three marks and three inside 50s at the 2012 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships and in 2013 played four NAB AFL Under-18 Championship matches for Western Australia, averaging 16 disposals, two rebound 50s and three tackles. At Colts level for Claremont in 2013, he played 15 matches, averaging 21 disposals, five marks, four inside 50s and four clearances per game.

FREAKO: A left-footer with a first class work rate. Understands the game well and is continually improving.

LACHLAN WELLER​ ​ Broadbeach Midfielder 178cm Resembles: Dayne Beams

A prolific ball-winner, Weller is a medium midfielder who co-captained Queensland at the 2012 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships, averaging 22 disposals, 11 contested possessions and six tackles, being awarded the Alan McLean medal as the Division Two MVP. That year he also played three NEAFL senior matches for Broadbeach. He played all five NAB AFL Under-18 Championship matches in 2013, averaging 18 disposals, three marks and three tackles per game. He also played eight NEAFL games, averaging 21 disposals, 15 uncontested possessions and four inside 50s.

FREAKO: Has the total package and along with Liam Dawson, is the most promising up and coming talent in Queensland.

PETER WRIGHT​ Calder Ruck 199cm Resembles: Liam McBean

Wright is a mobile tall ruckman who is a strong overhead mark and also a reliable key forward target. He played each of Victoria Metro's three matches at 2012 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships, averaging 10 disposals, three marks and 14 hitouts, however, the missed the start of the 2013 season with a back injury. Starting his 2013 TAC Cup season in Round 9, he played 12 matches for Calder averaging 12 disposals, seven marks, seven hitouts and two goals per game.

FREAKO: Needs to get a full-on pre-season under his belt and continually push himself. Stay tuned!

[spirit of norm smith 16,617]

Contested possessions = Christian Petracca

[Return to Glory 8,453]

Is this fair dinkum RTG? If so I'd draft him just for the name!!

No BBo, it's a poor attempt to add a literary component - he was the main character in 'The Big Men Fly' who could kick wheat bags across the Murray and Geoff Hayward was the prize recruit in 'The Club'.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,289]

No BBo, it's a poor attempt to add a literary component - he was the main character in 'The Big Men Fly' who could kick wheat bags across the Murray and Geoff Hayward was the prize recruit in 'The Club'.

Thanks RTG. I never read the original play ( although some Of DW's work comes readily to mind)I but I vaguely remember watching a TV version (back in the late 70's).

[whatwhat say what 23,451]

So to those who know their stuff, would it be Wright, Brayshaw and Petracca as top three at this stage?

North will want Brayshaw given his connection to the club you'd wager. I reckon we could get another decade outta Boomer Harvey as our best mid...

[ChaserJ 5,174]

On early rankings, Wright seems to be consensus no.1, with McCartin around the mark as well. From there opinion varies, but Goddard is up there with Sam Durdin from SA (probably the best key back in the pool, can play forward too). Brayshaw and Petracca are probably in the next bracket, but Brayshaw is climbing. Probably the highest rated midfielder at the moment.

Petracca needs to show he can run in midfield on a full-time basis. Was excellent up forward last year, but probably not tall enough to play key position at AFL level. Wins most one on one contests and has mongrel, but queries would be on tank and whether he is quick enough. If can show that he is, he's a lock for a top 5 selection.

Pickett is one to monitor. Has great pace, but it looks like he has a go and can win his own ball on the inside. May move up if he shows this consistently.

The early feedback about this draft pool is the higher end talent isn't as outstanding as last year, but greater key position talent, and greater depth of talent.

[spirit of norm smith 16,617]

With Mitch Clarks retirement, it does bring Patrick McCartin into my draft targets. Comparison to Johnathan Brown is a big drawcard.

Imagine Hogan and McCartin in the same forward line. Giants have Patton and Cameron and we should aim for 2 key forwards.

[blue and red in the head 95]

If we continue how we are and we loose frawley there is no doubt the afl would have to give us a pp. in saying that the pick we get for frawley needs to be used on a replacement and the pp needs to be used on a kpf to replace Clark. So pick1 kpf, pick 2 kpb pick 3 best mid and pick 20 odd best mid or traded for a decent ruckman from west coast or freo they have a few.

Or do we go for some mids that have been in the system a few years I would love to get J oRouke and L plowman from gws similar to dom Tyson high end talent just hasn't had a good run at it. Or do we look at the 2nd tier at freo crozier, tanner smith and Sheridan the draft has kpfs so freo cud trade 2 of these guys for a crack at a key forward and if they get a key forward it might stop them coming after hogan next year

[jackaub 1,402]

An article from the AFL website about father/son prospects which suggests that Billy Stretch is currently ranked a second or third round draft prospect - Doing their bidding

Just because his old man played for us doesn't make him an auto selection does it?

[jackaub 1,402]

I liked Dunstan as well for between 8 - 16

I'm fine with Salem as I reckon he'll develop nicely in our timeframe.

What time frame are you suggesting we are working to this year this decade this century?

[rjay 25,307]

With Mitch Clarks retirement, it does bring Patrick McCartin into my draft targets. Comparison to Johnathan Brown is a big drawcard.

Imagine Hogan and McCartin in the same forward line. Giants have Patton and Cameron and we should aim for 2 key forwards.

McCartin has a bit of mongrel about him same as Hogan, I like that.

[jackaub 1,402]

That is because we draft poorly.

Go tell Port Adelaide the draft doesn't matter... Wines, Wingard, Hartlett and Boak - A very good core of quality players from quality draft picks.

MFC just drafted terribly, Gysberts, Cook, Morton, Toumpas and Strauss were all laughable picks.

MFC needed go getters and ball winners, determined players who show absolute resolve - and the best we could come up with is that lot - stick men with no aggression.

So whats Gonna change this year? Pray tell

[jackaub 1,402]

Yep all mentally weak. At the first sign of adversity, they'd go to water. The good thing is they are off our list, the bad thing is, many more need to go. Give me players' that give a [censored] about the results rather than whether or not their bank payments made it through on time.

Well given Demetriou gave the reason that our senior players that were injured would see us rise, and they haven't even got on the park yet, whilst also using that same excuse with our u18 selection in Hogan, who also hasn't got on the park. I feel that not only should they owe us last years PP (end of first round PP), they need to give us one for this year (before first round PP).

That would leave us with picks 1(PP), 2, 22ish (PP - factoring in other compo picks) and pick 23 (2nd round pick). Fantastic isn't it, talking draft picks at April! Though i did predict this cycle of pre-season excitement followed by reality setting in again early, followed by months of talking draft and trade.

Don't know the depth of this years draft, but do know the quality of talls might make some clubs desperate to trade for them. Would rather make similar Dom Tyson type trades like last year, as opposed to going down the all draft route (ala 2009). Bring in as much quality as we can for next year, not 2018ish (we might not be around then). Keep one of pick 1 or 2 for the draft, unless a really good deal comes up, then try and bring in quality young kids from other sides like we did with Tyson with the rest of our picks. No club is going to trade for our scraps.

While we are at why not discuss draft 2015 coz we are sure to be in contention again

It is going to take 2-3 years of hard work,drafting ,list management, hard decisions and rigorous development to fix this mess. It will not be over this year for sure

[rjay 25,307]

While we are at why not discuss draft 2015 coz we are sure to be in contention again

It is going to take 2-3 years of hard work,drafting ,list management, hard decisions and rigorous development to fix this mess. It will not be over this year for sure

I think you are right.

[Ted Lasso 19,549]

I reckon our top 3 picks should be key position player, i like Angus Brayshaw but i'd be looking at Wright and Brayshaw picks 1 and 2 and McCartin left as fantastic trade bait for a Bulldogs or Saints looking for a key forward

or Wright, Durdin and McCartin to sort out our key stocks long term, two key forwards, a key back and Hogan to float between

Edited April 8, 2014 by Sassy

[Machsy 2,858]

Anyone talking about us having the top 3 picks has their head in the clouds.

We'll have 1, and 1 only.

[Ted Lasso 19,549]

Anyone talking about us having the top 3 picks has their head in the clouds.

We'll have 1, and 1 only.

why head in the clouds, if we don't win a game, which is a real possibility based on how we are playing PJ and PR will certainly apply for a Priority pick, we will already have pick 1 which would become two and the compo from frawley would be independent because we lost a player to get it

picks 1, 2 and 3

[Sydee 4,633]

why head in the clouds, if we don't win a game, which is a real possibility based on how we are playing PJ and PR will certainly apply for a Priority pick, we will already have pick 1 which would become two and the compo from frawley would be independent because we lost a player to get it

picks 1, 2 and 3

Hilarious, depressing and typical. Round 3 and the supporters of the MFC have to resort to talking about potential draft picks

OMG its so so tragic - every time any semblance of hope emerges for this club it is sucked away in an instant

[Ted Lasso 19,549]

Hilarious, depressing and typical. Round 3 and the supporters of the MFC have to resort to talking about potential draft picks

OMG its so so tragic - every time any semblance of hope emerges for this club it is sucked away in an instant

It's a discussion forum, if a team hasn't won a game in 8 years hardly then of course you are going to discuss the worst possible outcomes at times, i don't see who we are going to be able to beat based on our current form.

[Pennant St Dee 13,403]

Still maintain keep 1 pick in the Top 2 or 3 whatever we get and do another Tyson Salem type deal with the other picks

GWS

Trelaor, Shiel

Port

Wines - the one area they are not great is in defence do they want Durdin, but don't see them giving up Ollie

Suns

Prestia, Swallow

Crows

Sloane, Talia

Swans

Hanneberry, Parker

Lions

Rockliff, Redden

[Ted Lasso 19,549]

Still maintain keep 1 pick in the Top 2 or 3 whatever we get and do another Tyson Salem type deal with the other picks

GWS

Trelaor, Shiel

Port

Wines - the one area they are not great is in defence do they want Durdin, but don't see them giving up Ollie

Suns

Prestia, Swallow

Crows

Sloane, Talia

Swans

Hanneberry, Parker

Lions

Rockliff, Redden

I'd offer pick 3 for Wines, give him a pay rise, if they feel he is going to walk at the end of his contract, a young SA defender ranked so highly might just get their attention

pick 2 for Dangerfield, if we offer overs and the crows feel he is going to walk anyway then they might see pick 2 as better than the compo if any next year

pick 1,19 and Jeremy Howe for Trelor and Patton? long shot but couldn't hurt to ask, they get a key forward, a versatile forward target who is great for marketing which they need and a good pick, they will then have Cameron, Wright and Boyd as well as Howe and pick 19

[manny100 1,621]

In the absence of wins drafting possibilities at least provides us with a much needed distraction. Looks like bottom 1-3 for us even with Dawes, Jamar, Garland and Gawn in. Best available for me whether its a tall or mid. I think we will get a priority which most likley will be mid first round or end of second round. If Frawley goes then a pick after our first as compo.

If Carlton finish in the bottom 3 watch them heave Gibbs out the door to get an early compo pick. The other clubs will not be happy if both us and Carlton get an extra pick early as compo - compromises the draft again - one reason which will push any priority pick we get closer to the end of the first round. If Frawley does go we would not recruit a free agent as we would lose our early compo pick.

Last year some other clubs wrote to the AFL demanding that no priority be given last season due to us having a good list but not developing it properly, ie we already have the cattle. I do not think the AFL can ignore a poor finish again.