The 2014 AFL National Draft

[Axis of Bob 11,836]

Looking at last year's draft, we selected the following players:

- Salem

- JKH

- Hunt

Looking at those we drafted, the ability to get on the outside and do damage was very important.

Rookies

- Harmes

- King

- Jetta

- Georgiou

plus we added Tyson, Cross and Riley.

Through the rookie draft and trades we picked up players opportunistically, like experienced hard bodies and role players. Interestingly, our first rookie pick was also a midfielder with pace.

I think that there was a clear long term plan with our drafting which addresses a key need that will only get more important - speed. I would be surprised if this wasn't a theme in this year's drafting as well.

[whatwhat say what 22,773]

i think it'll all come down to what's on offer as well.

whilst if we do get the double-dip of chip leaving and we might look to trade it, offers might not appeal - for instance, i wouldn't want vickery and tigers' second round pick, which they would probably consider 'fair' value.

ellis and tigers' second round pick on the other hand...

[rjay 24,935]

Looking at last year's draft, we selected the following players:

- Salem

- JKH

- Hunt

Looking at those we drafted, the ability to get on the outside and do damage was very important.

Rookies

- Harmes

- King

- Jetta

- Georgiou

plus we added Tyson, Cross and Riley.

Through the rookie draft and trades we picked up players opportunistically, like experienced hard bodies and role players. Interestingly, our first rookie pick was also a midfielder with pace.

I think that there was a clear long term plan with our drafting which addresses a key need that will only get more important - speed. I would be surprised if this wasn't a theme in this year's drafting as well.

The only one with outright speed there 'Axis' is Hunt and he is very much a project player with no guarantee of making through the first couple of years.

Salem has AFL level speed nothing out of the box, JKH is not quick for his size. In the Rookies there is no outright pace or class.

[Adam The God 30,261]

Interesting interview with Roos about this year's draft. Says there's no real "standouts" that he's seen so far, rather an even spread of genuine quality players across the board.

http://m.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-07-10/northern-state-clubs-building-edge-roos

Got zero doubt now this is the same situation as last year in Roos' mind. He'll trade both early picks (3 and 4ish) for a player and a lower pick, just like the Salem/Tyson deal. Only difference this year is we'll be doing it twice, for our normal pick and the Frawley compo.

I assume he'll then on trade one of the lower first round picks (15ish?) for another established player, sending us to the draft with only one first round pick, probably around 10ish.

Thus with our picks 3&4ish, we'll end up with three high quality established players, and one new draftee to develop next year, ala Salem. Right now isn't the time for this club to be recruiting multiple first round draftees, we desperately need established players for an instant injection of leadership, skill, experience and class. Roos is only here for two more draft periods and he'll be turning over our list as fast as he can.

This is a tricky situation, because I want us to pick the best players. If it means waiting an extra twelve months for a draftee to develop, for the long-term sake of the list, I'd much prefer that. We can't afford to work to a two or three year timeline, just because Roos may leave. That's doing a disservice to our long-term list management. I understand it's frustrating for everyone that we are continually anchored to the bottom of the table, but I want the best players. I want us to build our list properly this time, otherwise we run the risk of becoming a middle of the road team for the next decade. If the best thing to do means taking new draftees, so be it. Afterall, they may do a Wines and impact at AFL level immediately.

[Slartibartfast 17,307]

Can Petracca run? Does he get involved in possession chains? Does he have pace? Does he have excellent lateral movement (agility). How much of his game is built around high marking?

Is he a dead set genuine midfielder?

I don't know the answers to these questions as I've only seen him play against SA on TV in the champs where I couldn't judge these attributes.

I liked Ahern.

[rjay 24,935]

This is a tricky situation, because I want us to pick the best players. If it means waiting an extra twelve months for a draftee to develop, for the long-term sake of the list, I'd much prefer that. We can't afford to work to a two or three year timeline, just because Roos may leave. That's doing a disservice to our long-term list management. I understand it's frustrating for everyone that we are continually anchored to the bottom of the table, but I want the best players. I want us to build our list properly this time, otherwise we run the risk of becoming a middle of the road team for the next decade. If the best thing to do means taking new draftees, so be it. Afterall, they may do a Wines and impact at AFL level immediately.

...and this is exactly what I'm saying 'Adam', we need to build the list properly this time.

The bolded part expresses things perfectly for me.

[Adam The God 30,261]

Pick 3 (compo pick) anyway.

trade P-3(compo pick) & Terlich, to GCS, for Kade Kolodjashnij & P-11

Lol. Terlich? Really?

[beelzebub 23,378]

Not a lot of point bringing in too many kids if you dobt have a reasonably able and 'cultured' middle order of the list. This is where we lack at the Dees and I fully expect Roos to do what the Swannies did for a long time. Rely less on the draft but go about recruitment via other clubs.

Roos is on record as not being a slave to drafts. Why does anyone think he'll suddenly change.

Theres still the next draft and the next one etc to pick a few kids from.

We need to get going like yesterday .

[Axis of Bob 11,836]

Can Petracca run? Does he get involved in possession chains? Does he have pace? Does he have excellent lateral movement (agility). How much of his game is built around high marking?

Is he a dead set genuine midfielder?

I don't know the answers to these questions as I've only seen him play against SA on TV in the champs where I couldn't judge these attributes.

I liked Ahern.

These are my thoughts. I heard that he tests well for speed (sub 3 secs) and agility, but haven't heard anything about his endurance. On early impressions, I'm not keen on Brayshaw simply because he's more of a constant motion accumulator rather than a power runner.

[Whispering_Jack 30,193]

As far as Petracca is concerned, my information is that he ticks all the boxes except endurance running which he's tested at about average in the past. I'm told he's been making a very determined effort to improve his tank and I suppose the testing at the Draft Camp or whatever it's called these days will give us a good indication. What I like though is that he obviously has a desire to improve himself and to work very hard to get there.

As for Brayshaw, one of my contacts at the Sandringham Dragons has compared him favourably with Ollie Wines saying he's similar on a number of levels but has silkier skills.

Interestingly, Brayshaw was among the best for the Dragons today while Billy Stretch did likewise yesterday at Glenelg in the SANFL.

[Ted Lasso 19,518]

I reckon we need some big signings, we have huge cap room, and trade assets

[Slartibartfast 17,307]

These are my thoughts. I heard that he tests well for speed (sub 3 secs) and agility, but haven't heard anything about his endurance. On early impressions, I'm not keen on Brayshaw simply because he's more of a constant motion accumulator rather than a power runner.

I get worried about players who rely on power at under age level. Also Trengove tested well but I always felt he was a tall in a small body.

I want to see him play like a midfielder with a bit of class. I just didn't see it in that one game.

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,179]

Petracca looks to tick all the boxes except for whether he has the tank to run hard both ways. He was clean and ferocious in the contest and showed good vision. He kept his feet well, looked explosive away from the pack with a good side step to go with it and can obviously kick a goal forward. Brayshaw looks a safe meat and potatoes mid and I found him a tad underwhelming. Ahern, Laverde and Blakeley showed a more exciting set of attributes for mine.

[rjay 24,935]

I get worried about players who rely on power at under age level. Also Trengove tested well but I always felt he was a tall in a small body.

I want to see him play like a midfielder with a bit of class. I just didn't see it in that one game.

No, I didn't either 'Bob' but he sure has a good set of hands in a marking contest.

[Slartibartfast 17,307]

No, I didn't either 'Bob' but he sure has a good set of hands in a marking contest.

That's my concern. That won't cut it at AFL level. Think Jeremy Howe.

Edited July 13, 2014 by Baghdad Bob

[spirit of norm smith 16,465]

I like Petracca and Blakeley.

I want tough, intense footballers.

No Grgic, Morton, Cook, Watts, Gysberts types.

Bio on player must have "competitor, intense, tough".

[rjay 24,935]

That's my concern. That won't cut it at AFL level. Think Jeremy Howe.

It's only on one game 'Bob', the dossier will be a lot bigger than that. I trust we have a better handle on drafting than in the past.

The one person I wouldn't listen to is Brenton Phillips though, the SA coach talks up his players (I know Petracca isn't one of his) as much as Shifter Sheehan.

[Ted Lasso 19,518]

Brayshaw has genuine toughness, is surprisingly quick and has elite skills on both feet, he and Petracca would be a great combo for us

[dee-luded 2,959]

Said it before Petracca and Brayshaw with hopefully pick 3 and 4 would set our midfield up for the next 10 years. Add Billy stretch to that mix and it would be a super draft for us.

The rest of the picks I would use on talls and maybe a small zippy forward.

everyone is thinking of Petracca going at 3 or 4. Not so sure. He may go top 2. Then what would we do?

[dee-luded 2,959]

Lol. Terlich? Really?

yeah, terlich probably not. I want the suns picks for the draft. just getting desperate, & greedy. sorry about that chief.

[dazzledavey36 54,948]

everyone is thinking of Petracca going at 3 or 4. Not so sure. He may go top 2. Then what would we do?

Crack the sh its

[whatwhat say what 22,773]

i expect gws to pick petracca.

we'll be quite happy with brayshaw i expect.

[Nascent 9,216]

everyone is thinking of Petracca going at 3 or 4. Not so sure. He may go top 2. Then what would we do?

Take him with our number 2 pick... or trade it for Treloar.

[Adam The God 30,261]

yeah, terlich probably not. I want the suns picks for the draft. just getting desperate, & greedy. sorry about that chief.

Haha, I know the feeling. I want Shiel, Treloar, a KPF in Boyd or Patton and GCS's McKenzie, please.

[Adam The God 30,261]

Oh and can I have Prestia too, please? :D