The 2014 AFL National Draft

[ChaserJ 3,972]

Duggan's got terrific skills and would be ideal for that half back distributor we (desperately) need. I'm hearing that recruiters are rating him as a fringe top 15 guy, but he's looked pretty good every time I've seen him, so not sure what I'm missing. I'd have him in the 7-10 range, but I think we'll see a fair variance in how teams rate prospects this year.

Had another look at Brayshaw out at Trevor Barker Oval today. My main concern with him is that he lacks composure in traffic. Given his forte is supposed to be his inside work, Angus default clearance method appears to be to slam the ball on the boot as opposed to using quick hands to find a teammate in close (and thereby retain possession). He did this a number of times in the Championships, and he turned it over regularly again today. When out in the open, Brayshaw is a very nice kick, so I'm putting it down to his decision making in traffic. Overall I still think he's in the best three (all-round) mids in the draft, but I think guys like Blakely and Gore are more effective inside players than Brayshaw.

Sandringham as a team were extremely disappointing today, so Angus didn't get a whole lot of support, which may have had some bearing along with some pretty wintry weather.

As a whole Dandenong were quite impressive, with Jack Lonie a lively creative small forward who could be good value if he's available late, and Mitchell White impressive as a utility with good height and good skill, the standouts.

Tom Lamb unfortunately looks like he may drop down the draft order. He has an obvious wealth of talent, but lacked discipline and looked like he would only play the game on his terms. Should be doing a lot more than he is, and noticed him ignore instruction from the team runner in order to chase easy kicks. It led to an almighty bake from the Stingrays coach. I've heard some recruiters have gone right off him, Lamb will need to address the attitudinal questions to avoid sliding further.

[DeeSpencer 23,293]

Duggan's got terrific skills and would be ideal for that half back distributor we (desperately) need. I'm hearing that recruiters are rating him as a fringe top 15 guy, but he's looked pretty good every time I've seen him, so not sure what I'm missing. I'd have him in the 7-10 range, but I think we'll see a fair variance in how teams rate prospects this year.

Had another look at Brayshaw out at Trevor Barker Oval today. My main concern with him is that he lacks composure in traffic. Given his forte is supposed to be his inside work, Angus default clearance method appears to be to slam the ball on the boot as opposed to using quick hands to find a teammate in close (and thereby retain possession). He did this a number of times in the Championships, and he turned it over regularly again today. When out in the open, Brayshaw is a very nice kick, so I'm putting it down to his decision making in traffic. Overall I still think he's in the best three (all-round) mids in the draft, but I think guys like Blakely and Gore are more effective inside players than Brayshaw.

Sandringham as a team were extremely disappointing today, so Angus didn't get a whole lot of support, which may have had some bearing along with some pretty wintry weather.

As a whole Dandenong were quite impressive, with Jack Lonie a lively creative small forward who could be good value if he's available late, and Mitchell White impressive as a utility with good height and good skill, the standouts.

Tom Lamb unfortunately looks like he may drop down the draft order. He has an obvious wealth of talent, but lacked discipline and looked like he would only play the game on his terms. Should be doing a lot more than he is, and noticed him ignore instruction from the team runner in order to chase easy kicks. It led to an almighty bake from the Stingrays coach. I've heard some recruiters have gone right off him, Lamb will need to address the attitudinal questions to avoid sliding further.

I saw that at the carnival. I rate my ability to pick out players traits. What I know I have no idea about (and many recruiters probably don't) is to identify what flaws are fixable and which ones aren't. Can you teach that skill? Roos always has our boys doing a bunch of handball drills to work on that but I wonder what percentage improvements you get.

As for Duggan the 183cm may be a concern. With the way the game is going that's short for a back flanker or mid. If his speed is only average then his limited to positions and roles. You'd probably take a guy who's 188cm with 10% worse kicking because they'd be able to take more marks, defend more opponents and probably have an easier time winning clearances etc.

[dee-luded 2,958]

Cal Twomey reckons Petracca is firming as #1 selection.

a club like the saints needs mids. they also need talls, but not as much as mids & Stanley went alright last week.

[dee-luded 2,958]

If Cameron wants out he will probably end up at Brisbane- depending on whether the saints tank or not. That leaves GWS with pick 1 and us with either 2/3 or maybe 4 as our first pick. If petranca is as good as ppl are saying he's GWS bound. We won't have the picks in the kitty do do another Tyson deal- unless spud leaves and we package both pics together, but is the talent in this draft strong enough for someone to deal for 2 picks inside the top 5? Who knows

what about the blues?

[IvanBartul13 2,564]

Duggan's got terrific skills and would be ideal for that half back distributor we (desperately) need. I'm hearing that recruiters are rating him as a fringe top 15 guy, but he's looked pretty good every time I've seen him, so not sure what I'm missing. I'd have him in the 7-10 range, but I think we'll see a fair variance in how teams rate prospects this year.

Had another look at Brayshaw out at Trevor Barker Oval today. My main concern with him is that he lacks composure in traffic. Given his forte is supposed to be his inside work, Angus default clearance method appears to be to slam the ball on the boot as opposed to using quick hands to find a teammate in close (and thereby retain possession). He did this a number of times in the Championships, and he turned it over regularly again today. When out in the open, Brayshaw is a very nice kick, so I'm putting it down to his decision making in traffic. Overall I still think he's in the best three (all-round) mids in the draft, but I think guys like Blakely and Gore are more effective inside players than Brayshaw.

Sandringham as a team were extremely disappointing today, so Angus didn't get a whole lot of support, which may have had some bearing along with some pretty wintry weather.

As a whole Dandenong were quite impressive, with Jack Lonie a lively creative small forward who could be good value if he's available late, and Mitchell White impressive as a utility with good height and good skill, the standouts.

Tom Lamb unfortunately looks like he may drop down the draft order. He has an obvious wealth of talent, but lacked discipline and looked like he would only play the game on his terms. Should be doing a lot more than he is, and noticed him ignore instruction from the team runner in order to chase easy kicks. It led to an almighty bake from the Stingrays coach. I've heard some recruiters have gone right off him, Lamb will need to address the attitudinal questions to avoid sliding further.

Jack Lonie is a nigh on certainty to get drafted - and probably a lot higher than many think, the performances of Lewis Taylor and JKH and others will have done him no harm.

There will be clubs that will put a red line through Lamb for intangible reasons and for the fact that he is so wildly inconsistent. There will also be clubs like North Melbourne, as an example and I have no inside info on this, that may take him early if they feel he could add some instant potency to their forward half whilst they see themselves to be in the 'window'.

[Theo 263]

Adam Simpson was interviewed on radio yesterday. His main point was getting bigger and stronger midfielders. The inference was that players like Gaff would not be part of their best midfield in the future. This made me think that a player like Stretch may not be the type of player teams are looking for. Taller, stronger, faster with elite endurance are what clubs will be looking for come draft day.

[jackaub 1,402]

The way the season is panning out there is every chance we will finish bottom So who is currently at Pick 1?

[Ted Lasso 16,931]

Adam Simpson was interviewed on radio yesterday. His main point was getting bigger and stronger midfielders. The inference was that players like Gaff would not be part of their best midfield in the future. This made me think that a player like Stretch may not be the type of player teams are looking for. Taller, stronger, faster with elite endurance are what clubs will be looking for come draft day.

I think you need a mix, you need players winning the ball on the inside and damaging players on the outsde, but I think the pre requisite of any player should be for our club that if the game is a slog every single player has to be capable of winning the ball in a contest

[ChaserJ 3,972]

Jack Lonie is a nigh on certainty to get drafted - and probably a lot higher than many think, the performances of Lewis Taylor and JKH and others will have done him no harm.

There will be clubs that will put a red line through Lamb for intangible reasons and for the fact that he is so wildly inconsistent. There will also be clubs like North Melbourne, as an example and I have no inside info on this, that may take him early if they feel he could add some instant potency to their forward half whilst they see themselves to be in the 'window'.

Tend to agree on both points. Just on North, whatever happened to Taylor Garner? Lamb reminds me a little bit of him, but we haven't seen Garner for a while. Big raps when he was drafted.

The way the season is panning out there is every chance we will finish bottom So who is currently at Pick 1?

If you need a kpf it's McCartin, otherwise Petracca has been a standout this year. 5 goals (and 32 possessions) from midfield last week and another 3 goals in a narrow loss to Geelong yesterday.

Edited July 26, 2014 by ChaserJ

[Theo 263]

I think you need a mix, you need players winning the ball on the inside and damaging players on the outsde, but I think the pre requisite of any player should be for our club that if the game is a slog every single player has to be capable of winning the ball in a contest

I agree that you need a mix and as MFC supporters we would love to draft Stretch. However we should not let sentiment get in the way.

After watching Stretch in the Champs this write-up from a contributor to 'Bound For Glory' sums up Stretch pretty well. If we have Toumpas do we really need Stretch. I liked Caled Daniel or SA Captain Jake Johansen much better.

41. Melbourne – Billy Stretch (Glenelg)

Height: 182 cm

Weight: 71 kg

Player Comparison: Xavier Ellis

Stretch has copped a lot of attention this year and has found a lot of criticism coming his way which has been very harsh on a kid who has some great assets. He is a skinny kid who floats across half forward or on the wing and loves to get the ball in his hands and run. His kicking lacks polish but is not as bad as has been reported early in the Champs. He is a good linkman across the forward half, but I don’t see him as a real game changer. Stretch isn’t likely to be in and under, winning his own ball but he knows his limitations and positions himself in spots where he can be dangerous and help his side. He often sits 30 metres away from the play, sweeping up loose kicks and pumping it back into dangerous spots. His exposure to senior football at Glenelg can only help him. Demons fans have put a lot of pressure on Stretch to be a great player, and wanted to get a steal through the father-son system but Stretch is just a good solid second round prospect with one or two attributes that make him a good player – his speed and decision making, but not a whole lot else.

[Ted Lasso 16,931]

His all Australian selection to me shows he can be damaging enough that would should take him

[ChaserJ 3,972]

I agree that you need a mix and as MFC supporters we would love to draft Stretch. However we should not let sentiment get in the way.

After watching Stretch in the Champs this write-up from a contributor to 'Bound For Glory' sums up Stretch pretty well. If we have Toumpas do we really need Stretch. I liked Caled Daniel or SA Captain Jake Johansen much better.

41. Melbourne – Billy Stretch (Glenelg)

Height: 182 cm

Weight: 71 kg

Player Comparison: Xavier Ellis

Stretch has copped a lot of attention this year and has found a lot of criticism coming his way which has been very harsh on a kid who has some great assets. He is a skinny kid who floats across half forward or on the wing and loves to get the ball in his hands and run. His kicking lacks polish but is not as bad as has been reported early in the Champs. He is a good linkman across the forward half, but I don’t see him as a real game changer. Stretch isn’t likely to be in and under, winning his own ball but he knows his limitations and positions himself in spots where he can be dangerous and help his side. He often sits 30 metres away from the play, sweeping up loose kicks and pumping it back into dangerous spots. His exposure to senior football at Glenelg can only help him. Demons fans have put a lot of pressure on Stretch to be a great player, and wanted to get a steal through the father-son system but Stretch is just a good solid second round prospect with one or two attributes that make him a good player – his speed and decision making, but not a whole lot else.

He has a good pace, endurance combo and uses the ball well. A solid second round prospect who we should get with a third round pick. It's all upside as far as I can tell. I'm a big fan of Daniel too, not sure where he'll go, but would love to pick him up if he's around late (which is entirely possible given his height). I'm not as high on Johansen.

[IvanBartul13 2,564]

Tend to agree on both points. Just on North, whatever happened to Taylor Garner? Lamb reminds me a little bit of him, but we haven't seen Garner for a while. Big raps when he was drafted.

Severe hamstring injury - hasn't played since NAB Cup. Been resigned.

[manny100 1,024]

Stretch a bargain 3rd Rounder. He is very quick and with Barry is an alternative to Blease who may not be around much longer. Toumpass is a different type of player and not as fast.

The top teams are adding express pace, eg, Hill and Smith, Rohan and Jetta.

The way the Lions are going we may well get pick 3. Petracca will go top 2 so that leaves us with a tall.

[Whispering_Jack 28,023]

Terry Wallace did some minor re-jigging of his TAC FUTURE STARS Rolling Draft in today's programme:-

1. St. Kilda Patrick McCartin

2. Melbourne Christian Petracca

3. GWS Giants Peter Wright

4. Brisbane Angus Brayshaw

5. Western Bulldogs Sam Durdin

6. Carlton Paul Ahern

7. Richmond Liam Duggan

8. West Coast Jayden Laverde

9. Adelaide Caleb Marchbank

10. Gold Coast Jarrod Pickett

[Jack7 463]

Terry Wallace did some minor re-jigging of his TAC FUTURE STARS Rolling Draft in today's programme:-

1. St. Kilda Patrick McCartin

2. Melbourne Christian Petracca

3. GWS Giants Peter Wright

4. Brisbane Angus Brayshaw

5. Western Bulldogs Sam Durdin

6. Carlton Paul Ahern

7. Richmond Liam Duggan

8. West Coast Jayden Laverde

9. Adelaide Caleb Marchbank

10. Gold Coast Jarrod Pickett

Plough obviously hasn't heard of a kid from my local club Broadbeach called Lachie Weller,will definitely go top 10 and could go as high as 6.

He's had an amazing year in the Qld u/18's,Gold Coast Suns Academy and Southport in the NEAFL.

[DeeSpencer 23,293]

Plough obviously hasn't heard of a kid from my local club Broadbeach called Lachie Weller,will definitely go top 10 and could go as high as 6.

He's had an amazing year in the Qld u/18's,Gold Coast Suns Academy and Southport in the NEAFL.

Or will go in the second round depending on what the clubs with picks 6-9 do and what the AFL does with the academy rules between now and draft day.

[Axis of Bob 10,284]

Or will go in the second round depending on what the clubs with picks 6-9 do and what the AFL does with the academy rules between now and draft day.

Not eligible. He goes wherever he's picked.

[DeeSpencer 23,293]

Not eligible. He goes wherever he's picked.

My apologies. What a silly system where he's part of the academy despite not being able to be selected from the academy. I suppose it makes sense.

I wonder how much of a knock on him will be that his brother was a gun junior as well but now is a bit of a plodder who was cut by the Suns (but is turning it around at the Saints a bit as a tagger). Didn't seem to affect the Swallows but maybe Lachie will have noted the things Mav didn't do in his early years at AFL level (ie. get super fit, work on his skills, speed and versatility).

[Demon 16 176]

Terry Wallace did some minor re-jigging of his TAC FUTURE STARS Rolling Draft in today's programme:-

1. St. Kilda Patrick McCartin

2. Melbourne Christian Petracca

3. GWS Giants Peter Wright

4. Brisbane Angus Brayshaw

5. Western Bulldogs Sam Durdin

6. Carlton Paul Ahern

7. Richmond Liam Duggan

8. West Coast Jayden Laverde

9. Adelaide Caleb Marchbank

10. Gold Coast Jarrod Pickett

If it fell this way, and we get a compo pick for Frawley (pick 3), I wonder if we will go for Wright or Brayshaw?

[What 18,810]

If it fell this way, and we get a compo pick for Frawley (pick 3), I wonder if we will go for Wright or Brayshaw?

Brayshaw for sure.

We still have the shallowest midfield in the AFL and lack star power in there

if we draft Petracca an Brayshaw and can poach one of Treloar or Shiel from GWS we will be set up nicely in 2015 and beyond

[rjay 23,962]

If it fell this way, and we get a compo pick for Frawley (pick 3), I wonder if we will go for Wright or Brayshaw?

Maybe Laverde although if we had 2 picks I think we are more likely to trade one.

[Demon 16 176]

Brayshaw for sure.

We still have the shallowest midfield in the AFL and lack star power in there

if we draft Petracca an Brayshaw and can poach one of Treloar or Shiel from GWS we will be set up nicely in 2015 and beyond

Can't see us poaching Shiel or Treloar without having a very high draft pick to trade.

I can't decide on Wrights value vs another mid to be honest. He is a bit of a 2 for 1 type in that he can ruck, and take marks/kick goals in the forward line.

There will be more mids in next years draft.

Edited July 27, 2014 by Demon 16

[Demon 16 176]

Maybe Laverde although if we had 2 picks I think we are more likely to trade one.

Laverde would be a great fit for us, but I think we'd be more likely to take him with a later pick - so yeh, a similar deal to last year where we get a player and say pick 8 or whatever.

[Machsy 2,858]

Plough obviously hasn't heard of a kid from my local club Broadbeach called Lachie Weller,will definitely go top 10 and could go as high as 6.

He's had an amazing year in the Qld u/18's,Gold Coast Suns Academy and Southport in the NEAFL.

Yeah, nah.