The 2014 AFL National Draft

[Machsy 2,858]

He's 203cm and now over 100kg.

That's great.

But the way I read the term "physical beast" is in regards to competitive attitude and physicality.

As a result, I wouldn't term him a "physical beast."

That might be different for some people.

That's ok.

Maybe a "physical specimen" due to size?

I know we're talking semantics, but that's how I see it.

I think Wright is a Matthew Leuenberger waiting to happen.

The "next Cox", a player with super attributes for a ruckman, but ultimately, like a lot of ruckmen, a risky prospect because they don't always spend a lot of time on the park.

I don't know what it is about big men, but they have a propensity to break down.

If he doesn't- great.

But a big risk to take.

(Even look at Brody Grundy - almost as highly rated, great first year, but without many injuries he is still struggling now.

No sure things at that size.)

Edited August 23, 2014 by Machsy

[Bitter but optimistic 21,299]

Yes you will BBO.

Thanks RTG, as you know I value your opinion on such matters, and, as a result, I feel much better about myself. My hard work in the gym maybe paying off.

[Demon Disciple 11,020]

Wright is one of the better kicks i have seen for a tall man/ruckman. Similar to Mitch Clark in having good kicking, or Cox or Jeff White.

As for his physicality, no, he's no Hogan or Hawkins (or McCartin) who already knew how to use their bodies and impose themselves before they were drafted, but he's more of a ruckman in this sense and will develop that part of his game as he matures into his body. He'll still need time to learn how to use his height and weight to impose himself.

He already has the size, so is not as raw or starting from absolute scratch in that sense, but he will need to develop his strength (easier than developing both strength and size, nor as time consuming).

Edited August 23, 2014 by Demon Disciple

[Ted Lasso 16,825]

I think when it really comes down to it the Saints will pick McCartin, sets up a key part of their forward structure long term, every draft has good mids, not every draft has good key forwards

[Bitter but optimistic 21,299]

I think when it really comes down to it the Saints will pick McCartin, sets up a key part of their forward structure long term, every draft has good mids, not every draft has good key forwards

Apparently except when the Dees are involved at the pointy end!!

[ChaserJ 3,964]

I think when it really comes down to it the Saints will pick McCartin, sets up a key part of their forward structure long term, every draft has good mids, not every draft has good key forwards

I'm inclined to agree with you, especially given that next years crop (and apparently the year after as well) is loaded with midfield talent, but light on for talls.

If you're a club that needs high end key position talent, this is your chance. I'm happy enough to snap up McCartin or Wright if we miss out on Petracca.

That said, Wright and McCartin have a couple of extra chances to impress in the TAC Cup finals, unfortunately Petracca's Eastern Ranges have missed the eight and won't defend their title.

Edited August 23, 2014 by ChaserJ

[Ted Lasso 16,825]

I'm inclined to agree with you, especially given that next years crop (and apparently the year after as well) is loaded with midfield talent, but light on for talls.

If you're a club that needs high end key position talent, this is your chance. I'm happy enough to snap up McCartin or Wright if we miss out on Petracca.

The other thing is that Roo is still there, if you were going to take a key forward, now would be the time so he can learn of Roo in real time on field, who knows how many years the great man can go on for but McCartin would greatly benefit from him I would have thought

[spirit of norm smith 12,978]

Went to Dandenong today ... Liam Duggan, Jayden Laverde and Corey Ellis are all A graders. Duggan should go top 5-6, Laverde 8-10 and Ellis 15-18. Duggan worth pick 3 for me. Super super impressive.

[mdemonski2 403]

Lads I'm heading to sandy to watch u 18s ranges v dragons. Petracca and brayshaw playing so will give my thoughts on here

[What 18,810]

i still think the saints will take MCcartin

They have no talls coming through and Riewoldt near the end of his career

McCartin will have a season or maybe 2 to play next to Riewoldt and learn from him

[rjay 23,925]

i still think the saints will take MCcartin

They have no talls coming through and Riewoldt near the end of his career

McCartin will have a season or maybe 2 to play next to Riewoldt and learn from him

I actually hope we get McCartin unless we have something else up our sleeves i.e: Cameron, Reid or Mitch Clark.

We have one potential decent KPP in Hogan.

[Return to Glory 7,730]

That's great.

But the way I read the term "physical beast" is in regards to competitive attitude and physicality.

As a result, I wouldn't term him a "physical beast."

That might be different for some people.

That's ok.

Maybe a "physical specimen" due to size?

I know we're talking semantics, but that's how I see it.

I think Wright is a Matthew Leuenberger waiting to happen.

The "next Cox", a player with super attributes for a ruckman, but ultimately, like a lot of ruckmen, a risky prospect because they don't always spend a lot of time on the park.

I don't know what it is about big men, but they have a propensity to break down.

If he doesn't- great.

But a big risk to take.

(Even look at Brody Grundy - almost as highly rated, great first year, but without many injuries he is still struggling now.

No sure things at that size.)

I'm not sold on Wright for what it's worth. McCartin plays along the jack Darling lines (based purely on the clips I've seen). I do like the look of Laverde and I am interested in the comments re Liam Duggan. There is considerable buzz re Petraccas but I think Brayshaw may have the better skill set.

[Return to Glory 7,730]

Lads I'm heading to sandy to watch u 18s ranges v dragons. Petracca and brayshaw playing so will give my thoughts on here

Very keen to hear your thoughts. Sandy got up by a point and both were judged best afield in respective teams.

[mdemonski2 403]

Ok so I had a look at dragons v ranges at sandy today.

Now u don't profess to be an expert in talent spotting and with my two little guys in tow I was not 100 per cent focused.

However, all I can say is please let's pick brayshaw and petracca with two and three.

They would set up our midfield for a decade or more. Both a cut above and wherever they play next year, both will be ready round one next year.

I was super impressed with brayshaw. Started slowly, took a big hit in q2 had a spell and then changed the game for the dragons (26 points down at that stage and won by a goal). Tackles hard, disposal excellent on both sides (not sure he would fit in at the dees as a result!) and reads the ball brilliantly at stoppages. Polished and highly professional. Yes please.

Petracca. Probably the opposite in terms of started like a house on fire and then )while good all game), slowed down in the second half as did ranges. Both were barometers for their respective teams . The ball just seems to follow petracca and he was always in the action whether back or forward. Would not say he is 'explosive' but he attacks the ball hard, disposes efficiently.

Both kicked multiple goals, maybe three each and looked a level above all others on the ground.

Would be hard to split. Petracca probably stronger overhead but brayshaw actually looks cleaner with the ball.

Pleas mfc don't trade 2 and frawley 3. These two would give us all hope for the future. And they are ready to go, not skinny u 18s like most of the other players out there.

[dazzledavey36 48,867]

Ok so I had a look at dragons v ranges at sandy today.

Now u don't profess to be an expert in talent spotting and with my two little guys in tow I was not 100 per cent focused.

However, all I can say is please let's pick brayshaw and petracca with two and three.

They would set up our midfield for a decade or more. Both a cut above and wherever they play next year, both will be ready round one next year.

I was super impressed with brayshaw. Started slowly, took a big hit in q2 had a spell and then changed the game for the dragons (26 points down at that stage and won by a goal). Tackles hard, disposal excellent on both sides (not sure he would fit in at the dees as a result!) and reads the ball brilliantly at stoppages. Polished and highly professional. Yes please.

Petracca. Probably the opposite in terms of started like a house on fire and then )while good all game), slowed down in the second half as did ranges. Both were barometers for their respective teams . The ball just seems to follow petracca and he was always in the action whether back or forward. Would not say he is 'explosive' but he attacks the ball hard, disposes efficiently.

Both kicked multiple goals, maybe three each and looked a level above all others on the ground.

Would be hard to split. Petracca probably stronger overhead but brayshaw actually looks cleaner with the ball.

Pleas mfc don't trade 2 and frawley 3. These two would give us all hope for the future. And they are ready to go, not skinny u 18s like most of the other players out there.

Always said if we had the chance we should take Petracca and Brayshaw together. Definitely would srt up our midfield for the next 10 yeaes for sure and both would make an instant impact next year.

Hopefully Paul Roos was there as Tyler would have been playing.

[jumbo returns 6,493]

The ol' 10 year fantasy of every D'lander including yours truly.

Scully and Trengove....

Ah, yes.....

[Machsy 2,858]

Always said if we had the chance we should take Petracca and Brayshaw together. Definitely would srt up our midfield for the next 10 yeaes for sure and both would make an instant impact next year.

Haven't heard that before...

[mdemonski2 403]

Always said if we had the chance we should take Petracca and Brayshaw together. Definitely would srt up our midfield for the next 10 yeaes for sure and both would make an instant impact next year.

Hopefully Paul Roos was there as Tyler would have been playing.

No Paul Roos sighted by moi. Tyler goes ok on field. Good luck to him.

[Roger Mellie 3,511]

The ol' 10 year fantasy of every D'lander including yours truly.

Scully and Trengove....

Ah, yes.....

McLean and Sylvia

[Pennant St Dee 11,324]

The ol' 10 year fantasy of every D'lander including yours truly.

Scully and Trengove....

Ah, yes.....

And they were good alongside the bigger and older mids. Scully and Trenners complimented each other well in 2010.

Just playing devils advocate here but would Brayshaw and Petracca blossom with the older wiser heads of Jones, Vince, Cross along with Tyson and Viney with an extra year under their belts. That doesn't take into account Salem, Toump, Trengove and Riley hopefully getting a good run at it through preseason

I do hope we have learned from moving Junior on and whilst he was no world beater Maloney took a tag and won a lot of clearances

[jumbo returns 6,493]

And they were good alongside the bigger and older mids. Scully and Trenners complimented each other well in 2010.

Just playing devils advocate here but would Brayshaw and Petracca blossom with the older wiser heads of Jones, Vince, Cross along with Tyson and Viney with an extra year under their belts. That doesn't take into account Salem, Toump, Trengove and Riley hopefully getting a good run at it through preseason

I do hope we have learned from moving Junior on and whilst he was no world beater Maloney took a tag and won a lot of clearances

Yes, for one whole year.....

[mdemonski2 403]

From what I saw at sandy yesterday, both brayshaw and petracca built like men already.

All players need role models and we have failed badly on this front over a number of years. But neither of these boys will need protection on the ground, the other u18s they were tackling could do with some though. Both hit mighty hard.

[Pennant St Dee 11,324]

Yes, for one whole year.....

Bit hard to do otherwise considering Mcdonald was off loaded at the end of 2010 and Scully basically played less than a handful of games after 2010.

It's not rocket science, other sides have been doing it for years

[jumbo returns 6,493]

Bit hard to do otherwise considering Mcdonald was off loaded at the end of 2010 and Scully basically played less than a handful of games after 2010.

It's not rocket science, other sides have been doing it for years

It would be great to draft a gun (get it right) and as PR said, 'sell some hope'. We're so bereft of (hope) right now....

[Grimes Times 1,278]

From what I saw at sandy yesterday, both brayshaw and petracca built like men already.

All players need role models and we have failed badly on this front over a number of years. But neither of these boys will need protection on the ground, the other u18s they were tackling could do with some though. Both hit mighty hard.

So are they both dominate players in the TAC becasue they are built like men playing against boys or are they the best players regardless of their size advantage??