The 2014 AFL National Draft

[spirit of norm smith 16,163]

Christian Petracca would be ideal in red and blue in 2015. With Billy Stretch and another key midfielder. With Tyson tagged, we lost our midfield drive and clearances.

[ChaserJ 4,977]

Would love us to add some pace. If we can get Billy Stretch in the third round, there should be some good running half back/wing types available in the second rd. Duggan probably will be gone, but Laverde and Viojo-Rainbow are good options who may be available. Very good ball users who might be able to give us what Seedsman and Harry L gave the Pies today.

[ChaserJ 4,977]

Don't know much about Petracca 'Chaser' but would he be a bit like LeCras, a half forward who can run through the middle or is he developing as a legitimate mid.

Little bit of footage from the AFL website:

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-06-04/eyecatchers-round-two

Justin Bertuleit's notes on Vic Metro from Sunday's game:

http://madmondayshow.com/2014/06/09/rd-3-vic-metro-1-scouting-notes/

Edited June 9, 2014 by ChaserJ

[ChaserJ 4,977]

Emma Quayle on Jarrod Pickett:

Emma Quayle @emmasq · 1h

Jarrod Pickett played one of the great u18 games for WA on the weekend. Could be drafted VERY high. Top part of the draft still wide open.

[rjay 24,809]

Little bit of footage from the AFL website:

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-06-04/eyecatchers-round-two

Justin Bertuleit's notes on Vic Metro from Sunday's game:

http://madmondayshow.com/2014/06/09/rd-3-vic-metro-1-scouting-notes/

Thanks 'Chaser'.

[Machsy 2,858]

If Petracca can show an ability to consistently go in the midfield, I'd be picking him as a big-bodied explosive mid.

Explosive athlete, high level basketballer, a dunking point guard at that.

I'm not a fan of him if we're going to play him as a forward.

[rjay 24,809]

If Petracca can show an ability to consistently go in the midfield, I'd be picking him as a big-bodied explosive mid.

Explosive athlete, high level basketballer, a dunking point guard at that.

I'm not a fan of him if we're going to play him as a forward.

Need to have a good look at him to make sure we're not getting another Silvia but on a glimpse he shows a lot of promise.

[IvanBartul13 2,564]

Somewhat belated I know, but there's a name on the playing list from Sunday's Under 18 Australian Under 18 Championship game that piqued my interest.

Joshua Hone.

Melbourne had a player named David Hone who was with us for only one season (circa 1969 or 70). He was a very good backman and I think might have come as a more mature age recruit. Left after only one very promising season. It's an unusual name and I thought he could be related.

Good chance

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Hone

[Pennant St Dee 13,031]

Need to have a good look at him to make sure we're not getting another Silvia but on a glimpse he shows a lot of promise.

On what I saw he lacks Sylvia's natural ability and makes up for it with workrate, which was a big tick for me

[Demon Blood 46]

Christian Petracca is the man we want IMO.

We still need another midfielder and this guy is what what we have been screaming for since we passed (along with other clubs) on Selwood, Wines, Dunstan et al.

The comparison to Sylvia isn't really fair as they are both mid/fwds but thats about where it ends.

Petracca has worked extremely hard to move into the midfield this year from just being a mid-sized forward, he has talent but nothing like Col.

He has a nice kick, is extremely strong through the core (doesnt get moved easily), great hands and is about 186cm - still growing - so fits in with Roo's admiration of Freo's taller midfield and if he is going down that path.

Reminds me of a slightly taller, stonger and cleaner Dunstan in last years champs.

I really like Brayshaw and he is by far the classiest mid but he has been playing a very outside role and i find his kicking can sometimes lack penetration.

Of the talls Patrick McCartin is my pick, he is very much like Jack Darling as he is an animal for the contest, that said Wright offers a lot more flexibility and Durdin is a 10-year CHB.

Like last year, there is an evenness about this draft at the moment but the difference is that a higher pick will give you access to one of the very good KPP's on offer.

I think we will have done well in this years draft if we can get Petracca with our 1st round, Maishman with our 2nd round (hopeful as his stock are climbing) and Stretch with 3rd.

[Uncle Fester 2,848]

We didnt pass on Selwood

[Machsy 2,858]

I think one thing that will work in our favour (think I've said this before) is how desperately GWS needs decent key defenders, how desperately the Bulldogs needs KPPs and how desperately the Lions, Blues and Saints need KPFs.

It means the best mid option should be left for us, even if we manage to finish above all of them.

Petracca, Brayshaw, Pickett, Smith.

One of them will fall into our lap.

[Ted Lasso 19,189]

Brayshaw and Petracca are my picks for our first choice

[Demon Disciple 11,998]

We didnt pass on Selwood

We did with Scott Selwood.

Wouldn't mind him.

[dee-luded 2,959]

I think so too.

If Chip were to go for a Big Retirement package, or the Silverware, we could have 2 picks between 4 & 7... this could really help build us into a strong Unit.

We could pickup say a Pickett & Brayshaw; or trade one again similar to the Tyson deal. either way now, I'm happier with the growing band of leaders we now have about the team. so not as desperate for 23 - 24 yr olds as I was last year.

In saying all of that, I want us to build the longterm player base, & our big game players at our club, One Club players. {# like Chip could be}

.... In the heart, I want Chip to stay. In the head, I'm OK either way. But still stimulated with new young players coming onto our list.

Shiel & Jaksch would be my wish from GWS. a hard headed & powerful elite breakaway mid,,, & a tall key swingman, equal at either end. often sweeps across packs up forward stealing the ball, perfect for a swingman to hurt.

.... this Dynamic duo is just what the good doctor ordered

common Melbourne make this One stick !

just adding to this post Pickett surprisingly to me is 179cms, bigger than I had realised for a natural smallrover/small forward type of the past, & at almost weight for height, at this early age is imo exciting. strong build. I like the look of this kids play. dynamic.

Jarrod Pickett

South Fremantle/Western Australia

18/8/96

178cm/76kg

Midfielder/half-forward

Pickett will excite with his speed and knack for producing eye-catching moments. His pace is the central element to his game: he runs a 2.81 second 20-metre sprint and he knows it, regularly bursting out of stoppages, taking a couple of bounces and delivering the pass. He's just as likely to take a big mark, land on his feet and then bolt off.

Jarrod Pickett is quick and he knows it, delivering regular eye-catching moments. Picture: AFL Media

Petracca reads verygood, as well. . http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-05-14/top-20-under18-players-to-watch as does Jordan Curnico.

[rjay 24,809]

On what I saw he lacks Sylvia's natural ability and makes up for it with workrate, which was a big tick for me

With Col it was the things he couldn't do that always concerned me, a big part of it was him blazing away without any awareness of what was around him. Does Petracca have good awareness around the contest? does he give the ball off and find good options? I know you watch a bit of footy 'Pennant' and trust your opinions. I will be looking forward to watching him in action.

I think one thing that will work in our favour (think I've said this before) is how desperately GWS needs decent key defenders, how desperately the Bulldogs needs KPPs and how desperately the Lions, Blues and Saints need KPFs.

It means the best mid option should be left for us, even if we manage to finish above all of them.

Petracca, Brayshaw, Pickett, Smith.

One of them will fall into our lap.

I don't think we are settled there either although ahead of the teams you mention. If someone like McCartin was available at our pick I think we should take him. I think he is more likely to go at pick one though and I sure hope we are not there.

Edited June 11, 2014 by rjay

[dee-luded 2,959]

If Petracca can show an ability to consistently go in the midfield, I'd be picking him as a big-bodied explosive mid.

Explosive athlete, high level basketballer, a dunking point guard at that.

I'm not a fan of him if we're going to play him as a forward.

goes alright; but I saw mostly tackling, would like to see more of his creative side & ball use... his effort is top shelf.

[Ted Lasso 19,189]

Couple of good genuine ball winners playing for WA that might make it through to our second rounder, they are a bit like dunstan

[ChaserJ 4,977]

Highlights of Pickett, Durdin, Petracca and a couple of others worth looking at as half back distributors.

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-06-11/eyecatchers-round-three

[Ted Lasso 19,189]

Young Corey Ellis looks a decent prospect

[Earl Hood 6,078]

We didnt pass on Selwood

But we probably would have if we could have!

[whatwhat say what 22,550]

petracca from vic metro and wigg from south australia look like they'd be fine additions to our side.

first round, second round, stretch as a third?

interesting that the latter wasn't mentioned at all, given that the article on afl.com.au talked specifically about him on the weekend.

[Pennant St Dee 13,031]

With Col it was the things he couldn't do that always concerned me, a big part of it was him blazing away without any awareness of what was around him. Does Petracca have good awareness around the contest? does he give the ball off and find good options? I know you watch a bit of footy 'Pennant' and trust your opinions. I will be looking forward to watching him in action.

I don't think we are settled there either although ahead of the teams you mention. If someone like McCartin was available at our pick I think we should take him. I think he is more likely to go at pick one though and I sure hope we are not there.

I have only seen Petracca once live and was really impressed but I went to the game with a view of keeping an eye on others and little knowledge of him. But very early on I was "who is that kid" Funny you say about his awareness around contests - that and his tackling ability were the fist things which initially attracted my attention.

• Attacks the contest hard with a an attitude of if I don't get clean ball no-one else will
• Had an awareness of players being close by and the need to accelerate early and hit the ball at pace catching others flat footed and naturally creating much needed time and space
• If there was heavy congestion made the decision of his next move before getting ball in hand so once he had got the ball he already knew what he was doing next
• He looked like he enjoys hurting opponents (love this in a player) and he maintains his awareness when teammates have the ball and are under pressure to apply a shepherd or solid body pressure on an opponent.
• When he tackles they stick and he wraps the opponent up so they don't break the tackles - I would think he will maintain this at the next level despite opponents being bigger at AFL level

So was it a one off I don't think so, it was done throughout the game and not in spurts so it would suggest it's in his DNA. By all accounts he backed it up in the game against Vic Country last week so he may well be the one who started around mid second round prospect but shoots up the pecking order as the season goes on

[rjay 24,809]

I have only seen Petracca once live and was really impressed but I went to the game with a view of keeping an eye on others and little knowledge of him. But very early on I was "who is that kid" Funny you say about his awareness around contests - that and his tackling ability were the fist things which initially attracted my attention.

• Attacks the contest hard with a an attitude of if I don't get clean ball no-one else will
• Had an awareness of players being close by and the need to accelerate early and hit the ball at pace catching others flat footed and naturally creating much needed time and space
• If there was heavy congestion made the decision of his next move before getting ball in hand so once he had got the ball he already knew what he was doing next
• He looked like he enjoys hurting opponents (love this in a player) and he maintains his awareness when teammates have the ball and are under pressure to apply a shepherd or solid body pressure on an opponent.
• When he tackles they stick and he wraps the opponent up so they don't break the tackles - I would think he will maintain this at the next level despite opponents being bigger at AFL level

So was it a one off I don't think so, it was done throughout the game and not in spurts so it would suggest it's in his DNA. By all accounts he backed it up in the game against Vic Country last week so he may well be the one who started around mid second round prospect but shoots up the pecking order as the season goes on

Thanks 'Pennant', that's a good wrap up and he sounds like a really interesting prospect.

Will have a look out for him.

[ChaserJ 4,977]

Bit more on Petracca…do we trust Neeldy as a referee?

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/eastern-ranges-christian-petracca-is-rewarded-for-making-the-tough-decision-to-give-away-basketball/story-fngnvmqa-1226938898654